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Child Abuse & Neglect

Accused of Child Abuse & Neglect in New Jersey?

Contact a Bergen County Criminal Defense Lawyer – (201) 574-7919

Child abuse and neglect are extremely serious crimes and an accusation alone can permanently ruin a person’s reputation and future. Oftentimes charged alongside allegations of domestic violence, child neglect and abuse cases are prosecuted with extreme tenacity and require the trained eye of an experienced attorney in order to be successfully defended against. At Law Offices of Joseph R. Donahue, LLC, our Bergen County criminal defense attorney understands the severity of your situation and is prepared to fight tooth and nail to preserve your rights and freedom.

Why trust our team of world-class advocates? Consider the following reasons:

  • More than 20 years of legal experience
  • 10.0 “Superb” Ratings on Avvo
  • AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® for ethics and skill
  • The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 list inclusion
  • Unanimous support from past clients

Do not take any chances with your future – contact us today to review your defense options.


Child Abuse vs. Neglect: What Is the Difference?

Child abuse is a general term that is used to describe the act of knowingly or purposefully inflicting physical or emotional harm to a child. Conversely, child neglect is a more passive act in which a parent fails, for reasons other than poverty, to provide their children with the necessary care, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care to the point where it endangers their wellbeing. In New Jersey, both child abuse and neglect are charged as “Endangering the Welfare of a Child,” a felony offense which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison upon conviction.

Under New Jersey law, the following acts all constitute as abuse or neglect:

  • Intentionally causing physical injury to a child
  • Causing a substantial risk of death or disfigurement
  • Willfully abandoning or isolating a child
  • Failing to provide adequate care

It is not uncommon for child abuse cases to be based on exaggerated claims, misremembered events, circumstantial evidence, or even outright false accusations, and can involve a considerable amount of legal gray area. In certain circumstances, even a simple act such as leaving your child in a car while you run to the store may be enough to cause a parent to be accused of abuse or neglect. Our attorney can review the circumstances of your situation and help you pursue the most appropriate course of action.

Discuss Your Charges Today

In addition to criminal consequences, parents accused of child abuse and neglect can potentially lose custody of their child to Child Protective Services (CPS). At Law Offices of Joseph R. Donahue, LLC, our New Jersey criminal defense lawyer understands what is at stake and is prepared to fight tooth and nail to preserve your parental rights. With personalized attention and a dedication to ensuring no questions go unanswered, we can provide the aggressive representation you need to maximize your chances of getting though this difficult time with your dignity and freedom intact.


Schedule your complimentary case review today to get started.


 

Hear From Our Happy Clients

Reviews & Testimonials

At Law Offices of Joseph R. Donahue, LLC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

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    The best attorney I have ever met in my life. I was facing four felony gun charges and ended up paying a $100 fine with a ...

    - Patrick
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    He handled my case effectively. An outstanding lawyer who I will always recommend to my family and friends. He displays a lot ...

    - Recent Client
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    My experience was beyond amazing. I always thought going through the court process and finding a lawyer would be the hardest ...

    - Recent Client
    ""the superior court judge issued a written order reversing the municipal court's guilty decision""

    Our son was arrested and charged with DUI in early December of 2015. We got a lawyer who helped us gather evidence (arrest ...

    - Anonymous Client
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    Dear Joseph: I wish to thank you and the staff for all of your efforts, professional knowledge and timeliness in performing ...

    - Criminal Client
    "Outstanding Legal Professional"

    As a Case Management Consultant, I have referred a number of clients to Mr. Donahue over the years. He is an outstanding ...

    - Advocacy Support Network LLC
    "restored my faith in lawyers"

    Mr. Donahue defended me in DWI,it would have been my 3rd.I would have lost DL for ten years and 180 days in jail. I would ...

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    "Outstanding Litigator"

    I am a legal consultant who works with many of the top criminal defense lawyers primarily in Northern and Central New Jersey. ...

    - Client
Our Trial-Tested Approach

We always strive to put our clients in the best position possible, so our immediate goal is to obtain a case dismissal or acquittal. If this cannot be done, we seek to minimize the consequences by all legal means possible, perhaps by pursuing a plea agreement, which could include alternate sentencing that improves the impact on our client’s record. Our Bergen County criminal defense attorney is a resolute advocate who never hesitates to take a case to trial if it is in the best interests of our client. No matter how complex your charges may be, we have the proven expertise and passion to help you achieve a positive outcome. Discover how we can help you today.