ROCKVILLE CHILD ABUSE LAWYER
THE HELP YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST!
Contact Rene Sandler at 301-610-9797.
Rockville child abuse lawyer Rene Sandler, Esq. is the most experienced choice if you, a loved one or friend is accused of committing an act of child abuse or neglect in the State of Maryland. Just the mere allegation of abuse or neglect of a child requires an individual to endure not just the allegations but the accompanying stigma. Choosing the right counsel is the most important decision a person can make so choosing Rockville child abuse lawyer Rene Sandler should be your first choice in hiring an attorney.
AN ALLEGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT
CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE.
Rene Sandler, Esq. has handled all types of abuse and neglect cases including the most complex medical cases. Rockville child abuse lawyer Rene Sandler, Esq. regularly utilizes the services of highly credentialed experts to consult and often testify when necessary at a hearing or trial if the case permits. Each case is reviewed by Ms. Sandler, Esq. to outline the facts and the best strategy to employ in a case.
An accusation of child abuse and neglect often involves multiple agencies at the same time. It is typical for Child Protective Services and the police to be conducting simultaneous investigations. Rockville child abuse lawyer Rene Sandler, Esq. is well known across the State of Maryland for her vast knowledge of Child Protective Services matters and her handling of all facets of investigations from the representation of witnesses, children, and those accused of abuse or neglect. Rockville child abuse lawyer Rene Sandler is often consulted with and hired by attorneys in Maryland on cases involving Child Protective Services allegations or allegations of abuse or neglect.
Rockville child abuse lawyer Rene Sandler, Esq. has extensive knowledge in understanding the medical aspects of physical child abuse. Ms. Sandler has successfully challenged cases involving subdural hematomas and skull fractures and has fought hard on behalf of her clients charged with various forms of physical or sexual abuse and neglect.
AN ALLEGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT
CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE.
Choose your attorney wisely. Call Rene Sandler, Esq. 301-610-9797 today to consult on your child abuse or neglect case in Maryland. Rockville child abuse lawyer Rene Sandler, Esq. regularly handles cases involving child abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, neglect, and child pornography.
Child Abuse
In Maryland criminal child abuse laws are broken out into degrees as set forth in §3-601 of the Criminal Article. The below definition of child abuse will be amended on October 1, 2017. Following the current version of the law set forth below is the new law in force October 1, 2017.
3-601. Child abuse
(a) Definitions. --
(1) In this section, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) "Abuse" means physical injury sustained by a minor as a result of cruel or inhumane treatment or as a result of a malicious act under circumstances that indicate that the minor's health or welfare is harmed or threatened by the treatment or act.
(3) "Family member" means a relative of a minor by blood, adoption, or marriage.
(4) "Household member" means a person who lives with or is a regular presence in a home of a minor at the time of the alleged abuse.
(5) "Severe physical injury" means:
(i) brain injury or bleeding within the skull;
(ii) starvation; or
(iii) physical injury that:
1. creates a substantial risk of death; or
2. causes permanent or protracted serious:
A. disfigurement;
B. loss of the function of any bodily member or organ; or
C. impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
* (b) First-degree child abuse. --
(1) A parent, family member, household member, or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for the supervision of a minor may not cause abuse to the minor that:
(i) results in the death of the minor; or
(ii) causes severe physical injury to the minor.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person who violates paragraph (1) of this subsection is guilty of the felony of child abuse in the first degree and on conviction is subject to:
(i) imprisonment not exceeding 25 years; or
(ii) if the violation results in the death of the victim, imprisonment not exceeding 40 years.
* (c) Repeated offense. -- A person who violates this section after being convicted of a previous violation of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to:
(1) imprisonment not exceeding 25 years; or
(2) if the violation results in the death of the victim, imprisonment not exceeding 40 years.
* (d) Second-degree child abuse. --
(1)
(i) A parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for the supervision of a minor may not cause abuse to the minor.
(ii) A household member or family member may not cause abuse to a minor.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person who violates paragraph (1) of this subsection is guilty of the felony of child abuse in the second degree and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years.
* (e) Sentencing. -- A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section.
3-601. Child abuse (Amendment effective October 1, 2017.)
* (a) Definitions. --
(1) In this section, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) "Abuse" means physical injury sustained by a minor as a result of cruel or inhumane treatment or as a result of a malicious act under circumstances that indicate that the minor's health or welfare is harmed or threatened by the treatment or act.
(3) "Family member" means a relative of a minor by blood, adoption, or marriage.
(4) "Household member" means a person who lives with or is a regular presence in a home of a minor at the time of the alleged abuse.
(5) "Severe physical injury" means:
(i) brain injury or bleeding within the skull;
(ii) starvation; or
(iii) physical injury that:
1. creates a substantial risk of death; or
2. causes permanent or protracted serious:
A. disfigurement;
B. loss of the function of any bodily member or organ; or
C. impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
* (b) First-degree child abuse. --
(1) A parent, family member, household member, or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for the supervision of a minor may not cause abuse to the minor that:
(i) results in the death of the minor; or
(ii) causes severe physical injury to the minor.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person who violates paragraph (1) of this subsection is guilty of the felony of child abuse in the first degree and on conviction is subject to:
(i) imprisonment not exceeding 25 years;
(ii) if the violation results in the death of a victim at least 13 years old, imprisonment not exceeding 40 years; or
(iii) if the violation results in the death of a victim under the age of 13 years, imprisonment not exceeding life.
* (c) Repeated offense. -- A person who violates this section after being convicted of a previous violation of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to:
(1) imprisonment not exceeding 25 years; or
(2) if the violation results in the death of the victim, imprisonment not exceeding life.
* (d) Second-degree child abuse. --
(1)
(i) A parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for the supervision of a minor may not cause abuse to the minor.
(ii) A household member or family member may not cause abuse to a minor.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person who violates paragraph (1) of this subsection is guilty of the felony of child abuse in the second degree and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years.
* (e) Sentencing. -- A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section.
AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2017. --Section 2, ch. 515, Acts 2016, effective October 1, 2017, added "at least 13 years old" in (b)(2)(ii); added (b)(2)(iii); in (c)(2) substituted "life" for "40 years"; and made related changes.
Those convicted of sexual abuse of a minor will be required to register as a sexual offender. See Maryland law for sexual abuse of a minor and information of the Maryland Sexual Offender Registry http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/sorSearch/
3-602. Sexual abuse of a minor
* (a) Definitions. --
(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) "Family member" has the meaning stated in 3-601 of this subtitle.
(3) "Household member" has the meaning stated in 3-601 of this subtitle.
(4)
(i) "Sexual abuse" means an act that involves sexual molestation or exploitation of a minor, whether physical injuries are sustained or not.
(ii) "Sexual abuse" includes:
1. incest;
2. rape;
3. sexual offense in any degree;
4. sodomy; and
5. unnatural or perverted sexual practices.
* (b) Prohibited. --
(1) A parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for the supervision of a minor may not cause sexual abuse to the minor.
(2) A household member or family member may not cause sexual abuse to a minor.
* (c) Penalty. -- A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 25 years.
* (d) Sentencing. -- A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for:
(1) any crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section; or
(2) a violation of 3-601 of this subtitle involving an act of abuse separate from sexual abuse under this section.
Neglect of a Minor is a misdemeanor which carries a maximum penalty of five (5) years in jail and a $5,000.00 fine. Criminal neglect is often investigated along with Child Protective Services in order to protect children who may be at risk. Contacting Rene Sandler, Esq. early is an important first step when facing allegations of child neglect.
3-602.1. Neglect of a minor
* (a) Definitions. --
(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) "Family member" has the meaning stated in 3-601 of this subtitle.
(3) "Household member" has the meaning stated in 3-601 of this subtitle.
(4) "Mental injury" means the substantial impairment of a minor's mental or psychological ability to function.
(5)
(i) "Neglect" means the intentional failure to provide necessary assistance and resources for the physical needs or mental health of a minor that creates a substantial risk of harm to the minor's physical health or a substantial risk of mental injury to the minor.
(ii) "Neglect" does not include the failure to provide necessary assistance and resources for the physical needs or mental health of a minor when the failure is due solely to a lack of financial resources or homelessness.
* (b) Prohibition. -- A parent, family member, household member, or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for the supervision of a minor may not neglect the minor.
* (c) Penalty. -- A person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of child neglect and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.
* (d) Sentence. -- A sentence imposed under this section shall be in addition to any other sentence imposed for a conviction arising from the same facts and circumstances unless the evidence required to prove each crime is substantially identical.
Call Rene Sandler, Esq. 301-610-9797 today
to consult on your child abuse or neglect case in Maryland.
CONTACT HER NOW!
