Child Abuse Defense Lawyers in Worcester

Passionate Criminal Defense in Middlesex and Hampden Counties

While forms of child discipline including spanking, restriction of privileges, and confinement may sometimes be deemed necessary by parents or guardians, other manners of discipline may be deemed abusive by law, and the court system may intervene for the sake of the child. Do you need the help of a child abuse defense lawyer? The Worcester criminal defense lawyers at Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP defend clients in child abuse cases in Massachusetts.

Call today at 508-570-3037 for a free consultation.

Factors to consider in child abuse cases include:

• The age of the child
• The severity of the action that lead to the discipline
• The severity of the discipline
• Extent of harm or potential harm that the child may have suffered

If parents, guardians, or other types of caregivers commit excessively violent or sexual acts against a child, or abuse a child harshly in any way, they may face criminal child abuse charges. While spanking, confinement, and other types of discipline will not come with a court intervention, acts that may prove damaging or unlawful will. Do you need the help of a child abuse defense lawyer? The Worcester criminal defense attorneys at Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP possess a thorough knowledge of child abuse laws in the state of Massachusetts and can defend clients tenaciously in court.

Cruelty & Assault Against Children

What is considered child abuse varies from state to state, but generally any act that will damage or severely harm a child in any way is against the law. Although the laws in various states may differ, they all consider cruelty against a child to be a crime. This cruelty may involve physical attacks, mental abuse, or neglect.

Assault against a child is a serious offense, and children are protected from assault by the state’s child abuse laws. Discipline cases involving assault are judged on an individual basis, as the entire situation must be taken into account before a child abuse judgment can be made. Verbal threats of assault are also considered abusive in many states, because it can greatly damage a child’s mental and emotional well-being.

Neglect & Sexual Abuse of Children

Neglect is one form of child abuse that can be particularly damaging depending on the situation. While accidents may happen, those that occur due to negligence or carelessness on the part of the parent or guardian may be considered criminal. Failing to give a child proper care can also be considered negligence, as the consequences for these actions may prove damaging to the child.

Sexual abuse can cause physical and mental harm to a child, and these acts can be committed by force, bribery, coercion, demand, or by a breach of trust. Children of any age are not considered legally able to give consent to any type of sexual activity, and sexual abuse against a child will often carry harsh penalties. Do you need to enlist the guidance of a child abuse defense lawyer? If you have been charged with child abuse, the Worcester criminal defense attorneys at Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP can work hard to build a solid defense and try to limit the penalties of a conviction.