Endangering the Welfare of a Child

Endangering Welfare of a Child Lawyers Burlington County NJ

Criminal charges for Endangering the Welfare of a Child, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4, can stem from multiple types of conduct. Endangering the Welfare of a Child tends to act as a “catch-all” charge for conduct that adversely affects children or juveniles. Because these charges can apply to a variety of conduct, ranging from child pornography cases to drunk driving with a child in the car, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office prosecutes these cases aggressively. Moreover, charges for Endangering the Welfare of a Child often are part and parcel of multiple charges for crimes like hindering, criminal sexual contact, distribution of child pornography, sexual assault, DWI and lewdness. Depending on the nature of the offense, you could either be charged with a first degree, second degree or third degree indictable offense for Endangering the Welfare of a Child in New Jersey. The most severe of which carries up to twenty (20) years in a NJ State Penitentiary.

Firm Partner and Former Deputy Attorney General, William C. Fay, IV, has dedicated his career to the practice of criminal law. Mr. Fay routinely represents clients charged with serious criminal offenses throughout Burlington County, including towns like Medford, Willingboro, Palmyra, Pemberton, Riverside, Westampton, Bordentown, Burlington Township, Cinnaminson, Evesham and Florence, just to name a few. If you would like to consult with Mr. Fay directly about your pending matter, please contact our office today at (609) 850-8284. We can be reached 24/7 for your convenience.

Is Possession of Child Porn Also Endangering the Welfare of a Child?

Yes. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4 there are generally seven (7) different forms of conduct that qualify as Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Depending on the type of conduct, the charge will vary between a first, second or third degree indictable offense. The list of possible violations are as follows:

Manufacturing Child Pornography

• Under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(3), this is a first degree felony indictable offense. As you may be able to gather from the name, this violation involves knowingly causing or permitting a child to engage in a sexual act or simulation that would be photographed, filmed or reproduced.
• If convicted, you are facing up to twenty (20) years in a New Jersey State Prison, a $200,000 fine, a felony criminal record and Megan’s Law Registration.

Sexual Conduct

• Under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1), this is a second degree felony indictable offense. This violation requires the defendant to knowingly engaging in sexual conduct that would “impair or debauch the morals of a child.” Also, the defendant must be in a position of legal duty to care for the child.
• If convicted, you are facing up to ten (10) years in a New Jersey State Prison, a $150,000 fine, a felony criminal record and Megan’s Law Registration.

Abuse or Neglect

• Under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2), this is also a second degree felony indictable offense. This violation requires the defendant to knowingly cause harm that would make a child “abused or neglected.” Also, the defendant must be in a position of legal duty to care for the child.
• If convicted, you are facing up to ten (10) years in a New Jersey State Prison, a $150,000 fine, a felony criminal record and Megan’s Law Registration.

Distributing Child Pornography

• Under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5), this is a second degree felony indictable felony offense. This violation requires the defendant to knowingly manufactured, procured, provided, sold, offered or lent any images, films or tapes of a child that was engaged in a sexual act or simulation of a sexual act.
• If convicted, you are facing up to ten (10) years in a New Jersey State Prison, a $150,000 fine, a felony criminal record and Megan’s Law Registration.

Sexual Contact

• Under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1), this is a third degree felony indictable offense. This violation requires the defendant to knowingly engaged in sexual conduct that would “impair or debauch the morals of a child”. Here, the State does not need to prove that the defendant was in a legal duty to care for the child.
• If convicted, you are facing up to five (5) years in a New Jersey State Prison, a $15,000 fine, a felony criminal record and possible Megan’s Law Registration.

Abuse or Neglect

• Under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2), this is a third degree felony indictable offense.This violation requires the defendant to knowingly caused harm that would make a child “abused or neglected.” Once again, this differs from the second degree offense above because the defendant does not need to have a legal duty to care for the child.
• If convicted, you are facing up to five (5) years in a New Jersey State Prison, a $15,000 fine, a felony criminal record and possible Megan’s Law Registration.

Possession of Child Pornography

• Under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(b), this is a third degree felony indictable offense. This violation requires the defendant to knowingly possessed or viewed any photo or video which depicted a child either (1) engaging in a sexual act or (2) simulation of a sexual act.
• If convicted, you are facing up to five (5) years in a New Jersey State Prison, a $15,000 fine, a felony criminal record and possible Megan’s Law Registration.

Endangering the Welfare of a Child Lawyer in Evesham, NJ

As you can clearly see from the information listed above, felony charges for Endangering the Welfare of a Child can cause your life to turn upside-down. However, due to the complexity of the law and possible evidentiary issues that exist in many of these cases, there may be a defensible argument to a dismissal or reduction of your charges. If you would like to speak with an attorney about your pending case or the case against a loved one who is currently locked in the Burlington County Jail, please contact our Burlington County Office. Allow our team of trial lawyers to meticulously comb through the discovery in your case and assess the strength and merits of the charges filed. Moreover, if someone is pending a pretrial detention hearing, it is even more important that you retain an experienced criminal attorney to represent you at the hearing and help avoid pretrial detention. The initial consultation is complimentary, call (609) 850-8284 today.