Child endangerment is a serious crime in New Jersey. Read on to learn more about child endangerment laws and the consequences they carry.
What are the child endangerment laws in New Jersey?
New Jersey’s child endangerment laws state:
- “Any person having a legal duty for the care of a child who has assumed responsibility for the care of a child who engages in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Any other person who engages in conduct or who causes harm as described in this paragraph to a child is guilty of a crime of the third degree.”
- “Any person having a legal duty for the care of a child or who has assumed responsibility for the care of a child who causes the child harm that would make the child an abused or neglected child as defined in R.S. 9:6-1, R.S. 9:6-3 and P.L. 1974, c. 119, § 1 is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Any other person who engages in conduct or who causes harm as described in this paragraph to a child is guilty of a crime of the third degree.”
What are the penalties for a child endangerment conviction in New Jersey?
As previously mentioned, New Jersey takes child engagement seriously. if you are convicted of child endangerment, you may face the following:
- Third-Degree: Up to 5 years in prison
- Second-Degree: Up to 10 years in state prison.
- First-Degree: If you are convicted of child endangerment in the first degree, you may spend 20 years in state prison, and face a fine of up to $250,000.
If you are facing charges of child endangerment, you will need the help of an experienced attorney. Reach out to our firm today to discuss your case.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
Thomas DeMarco & Associates, LLC is an experienced Camden County criminal defense law firm located in Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey. We understand how potentially damaging a criminal can be, which is why we pride ourselves on our willingness to fight for our client’s rights. Our firm handles all criminal matters and is ready to provide you with our knowledgeable legal counsel. Do not hesitate to contact our firm to discuss your legal situation.
