Assault on a Minor Charge Defense Attorney in Philadelphia, PA

Are you facing assault charges on minor charges? Do you want to know if you can defend yourself without going to jail? Assault on a minor is a serious charge that can be brought against anyone accused of assaulting or beating a child under 18. This charge can also be filed against anyone accused of injuring a child under 14.

If you are charged with assault on a minor, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. The penalties for this type of offense are severe, with up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000 if convicted.

What is an Assault on a Minor Charge?

Assault on a minor is defined as the intentional, unlawful touching or striking of another person without consent or provocation. Misdemeanor assault occurs when there is no intent to cause serious injury or death. However, if the intent is to cause serious injury or death, it is considered a felony assault with the intent to kill or murder (1st degree). Assault on a minor can also include battery charges, which mean you intentionally touched someone with a force that was not warranted by the circumstances (i.e., defending yourself). Furthermore, assault on a minor charge may include sexual abuse charges, implying that you inappropriately touched someone.

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is a serious crime that can lead to devastating consequences for the victim, including physical, mental, and emotional injuries. In addition to jail time, child abusers may face other penalties, such as hefty fines and probation or parole.

Child abuse charges are based on many factors, including the type of abuse suffered by the child. Common forms of child abuse include:

Physical abuse. Physical abuse is defined as any intentional act that causes physical injury or pain to a child. Physical abuse can include acts such as hitting, punching, kicking, or burning a child; striking with an object; shaking a baby; forcing them to perform actions that cause pain or injury; poisoning a child’s food or drink; withholding food or water; and leaving a young infant alone for extended periods.
Sexual abuse. Engaging in sexual activities with children under the age of 18 includes fondling genitals, touching private parts of another person’s body without consent, and exposing genitals in front of someone who is not interested or aroused by this behavior. Sexual acts can be committed by an adult who knows or should know that the child cannot understand what is happening due to age-related limitations (for example, a 6-year-old girl being forced to engage in oral sex).
Neglecting a child’s basic needs. Neglecting a child’s basic needs includes not providing food or shelter for the child. It can also include not ensuring that the child has proper clothing or medical care.
Exposing a child to drugs and alcohol. Exposing a child to drugs and alcohol also qualifies as an act of abuse. This could include giving the minor access to drugs or alcohol, as well as providing them with such substances.

Assault on Minor Defense

If you have been charged with assault on a minor, it is essential to understand the severity of the charges and how they can impact your life. You could face serious consequences if you are convicted of this offense, including jail time, probation, and fines. While this may seem like an impossible situation to overcome, there are defenses available that can help you fight the charges.

To mount an effective defense against these charges, you need an experienced attorney who understands how to build a case around your unique circumstances. Your attorney can gather evidence and witness testimony to prove that you did not commit assault on a minor or child abuse. The following are some common defenses that may apply in your case:

Entrapment. If someone entrapped you into committing an act that would otherwise be illegal, this might be considered a defense. Entrapment occurs when law enforcement officers or officials induce, persuade, or invite someone to commit an illegal act that they wouldn’t have otherwise committed without the prompting of that person.
Self-Defense. Self-defense is the use of force against another person to protect yourself when you are in imminent danger of being harmed. The threat must be imminent, not just possible at some point in the future. If you attacked someone because you thought he might harm you later, it is not self-defense. In addition, if there was any way for you to retreat from the situation, then it is not self-defense either. Self-defense also does not include killing someone if they were about to kill someone else, and there was no other way for everyone involved to escape alive.
False accusations. Many times, false accusations are made against a person who may have been acting in self-defense or protecting another person. Your attorney will investigate the alleged incident’s circumstances and determine whether it was indeed an assault. If so, he will also make sure that any evidence that supports your story is presented in court.
Lack of intent. The prosecution must prove that you intended to harm the alleged victim beyond a reasonable doubt. For example, if you pushed someone out of the way to avoid being run over by a car, there would be no intent to harm them. Your attorney will use all available evidence to show that there was no intent to harm or even touch anyone involved in the incident.

Contact the Brookman Law Group Today

If you are charged with child abuse or assault on a minor, you could face years in prison. Being convicted of this crime will haunt you for the rest of your life. That is why you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Your attorney can aggressively defend you against these charges and assist you in avoiding a conviction.

The experienced attorneys at the Brookman Law group can assist you in navigating the criminal justice system, which is complex and frequently unfair. In many cases, they have worked with prosecutors and judges to obtain the best possible outcome for their clients. They can also lessen the likelihood of specific penalties such as fines, community service, and jail time.

If you’re facing an assault on minor charges, don’t wait until it’s too late. You can call us at (267) 415-4623 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.