Maryland Child Abuse Lawyer
Decades of Experience & Results in Montgomery County
With some criminal charges, even an allegation is enough to destroy a person’s
future. Those who face child abuse charges often have a difficult time
exonerating themselves, even after charges are proven to be false. The
consequences can be severe, often fracturing families, putting people
in jail, and causing irreparable harm to their reputation. At Kennedy
& Dolan, we understand how important it is for you to tell your side
of the story. By working with a Maryland child abuse attorney at our firm,
you can feel confident about your outcome.
Call (301) 608-3000 now or
contact us online to schedule your consultation. We are available by phone 24/7 to serve
clients in Rockland and throughout Montgomery County.
Maryland Child Abuse Laws & Penalties
Child abuse and sexual abuse of a minor go hand-in-hand to a certain extent.
Child abuse includes sexual abuse in addition to a vast range of abusive
acts. The crime of sexual abuse of a minor only concerns sexual abuse,
however. As such, let’s examine the two.
The Code of Maryland Regulations defines child abuse as actions including,
but not limited to:
- An act or acts involving sexual molestation or exploitation whether physical
injuries are sustained or not
- Identifiable and substantial impairment of a child’s mental or psychological
ability to function
- Ignoring credible evidence that demonstrates that physical abuse, neglect
or sexual abuse occurred
Under
§3–602 of the Maryland criminal law code, sexual abuse is defined as an act that involves sexual molestation or
exploitation of a minor, whether or not it caused physical injuries. If
a jury finds you guilty of sexually abusing a minor, you may suffer a
felony charge punishable by up to 25 years in prison as well as being a
registered sex offender. Sexual abuse includes:
- Incest
- Rape
- Sexual offense in any degree
- Sodomy
- Unnatural or perverted sexual practices
Potential Signs of Child Abuse
The state of Maryland is on high alert for child abuse, as it is responsible
for ensuring such crime does not go unnoticed nor unpunished. Although
child abuse takes on many forms, let’s examine potential signs of
child sexual abuse, as outlined by the
Maryland Department of Human Services:
- Difficulty walking or sitting
- Bleeding, bruising or swelling in the genital area
- Reporting nightmares or wetting the bed
- Self-harming including cutting, burning, etc.
- Demonstrating bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
or displaying inappropriate sexual behavior with other children or adults
- Becoming pregnant or contracting an STD, especially if under the age of 14
- Attaching quickly to strangers or new adults
- Reporting sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
Possible Defenses to Child Abuse
As well-intentioned as it may be, a jury cannot accurately determine if
a crime has occurred based solely on a child’s allegations. That
doesn’t mean children should not be listened to or validated, but
the jury must consider that children may not accurately account for their
experiences because they’re still developing. It’s also good
to note that criminal cases can last for months and even years, which
could tarnish a child’s ability to precisely remember their reported
experiences.
Thus, our Maryland child abuse attorney will examine the details and circumstances
surrounding your case to determine the best course of action for your
defense. Depending on the nature of your child abuse accusations, the
following defenses may apply:
- You didn’t know the alleged victim was a minor
- You didn’t do it
- False allegations
- The alleged victim lacks credibility
- The prosecution cannot meet its burden of proof
- Defective jury instructions
Why Having a Maryland Child Abuse Attorney Helps
Your rights are important. At Kennedy & Dolan, we take the time to
understand your charges and give you the information you need to feel
confident about your outcome. Keep in mind, being charged with a criminal
offense does not make you a criminal.
Many child abuse allegations in Montgomery County and across Maryland occur due to:
- Someone unfamiliar with your situation suspecting abuse
- An adversarial party wanting to gain an advantage over you
- Someone exaggerating something that really occurred
- A child innocently giving false information
- Retaliation
In these instances, the most important thing you can do for yourself is
to avoid making any statements to police without a Maryland child abuse
attorney present. Law enforcement officers are trained to take what you
say and use it against you, meaning they will make note of any comment
that could show you were guilty. With child abuse, ambiguity can mean
a guilty verdict, so call an attorney right away.
Available When You Need Us
We understand how terrifying it can be to face child abuse charges. During your
initial consultation, we will review the charges and evidence of your case. Many times, examination
yields important details about what happened that can fundamentally change
the outcome of your situation. You do not have to face these allegations
alone. Kennedy & Dolan has a strong track record of successful case
outcomes, even against some of the most severe child abuse charges in
Maryland. We are on your side.
Call (301) 608-3000 now to get started. We proudly serve clients in Rockville
and throughout Montgomery County.