Defending San Diego Clients Accused of Child Abuse
When a member of the community hears that someone has been charged with child abuse, many automatically think the accused must be guilty. A child abuse conviction carries horrific penalties, including jail time and heavy fines. Registered sex offenders often find it difficult to rent an apartment, find a job that deals with children or vulnerable adults or regain respect in the community.
If you have been charged with child abuse, the law considers you innocent until proven guilty. I'm Jim Pokorny, San Diego attorney with more than 30 years of experience in aggressive criminal defense. Contact me for a free initial consultation by phone. I will explain what the child abuse charges mean, and briefly describe your options.
If the police or social workers contact you for a statement or an interview, you have the right to say nothing. Consult an experienced child abuse defense lawyer for counsel.
Protecting Your Rights and Defending Your Good Name
Children are protected under statutes such as California Penal Code Section 273d, which prohibits physical violence such as shaking or traumatic injury against children. The court promotes additional protection. Violations can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the seriousness of the crime. The maximum penalty is six years in state prison.
Sometimes child abuse charges result from a divorce, in which one spouse wishes to harm the other. As a skilled lawyer and experienced litigator, I know that children want to please authority figures, and memories can be manipulated.
I limit my criminal defense practice so I can devote my complete attention to each and every client who needs my counsel. If I accept your child abuse defense case, my first order of business is to thoroughly examine the evidence and witness testimony.
In my practice at the Law Offices of James F. Pokorny, A.P.C., I defend against the following felony sex crimes:
- Contributing to the delinquency of a child under 18
- Willful harm or injury, including assault and battery
- Assault with a deadly weapon resulting in death
- Sending a minor inappropriate material
I defend clients against misdemeanor charges including sending a child to an immoral place or participating in immoral or degrading practices in the presence of a minor.
Child abuse charges are taken very seriously by the court. Assault with a weapon charges warrant serious defense. Contact me for a free initial phone consultation from my San Diego law office.
