Top Hayden, AL Child Abandonment Lawyers Near You
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Gardendale Office | Serving Birmingham , AL
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Child Abandonment Lawyers | Hoover Office | Serving Hayden, AL
101 Riverchase Parkway East, Hoover, AL 35244
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
1500 Urban Center Drive, Suite 450, Birmingham, AL 35242
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
2107 5th Ave N., Suite 301, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
505 North 20th Street, Suite 825, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
500 Office Park Drive, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35223
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
2205 Morris Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
2001 Park Place North, Suite 1500, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
400 Vestavia Parkway, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35216
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
2127 1st Ave North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
1929 3rd Ave N, Suite 500, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
PO Box 2261, Birmingham, AL 35201
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Clanton Office | Serving Hayden, AL
207 6th St N, Suite 4, Clanton, AL 35045
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
1 Chase Corporate Center, Suite 400, Birmingham, AL 35244
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
300 Vestavia Pkwy, Ste. 3200, Birmingham, AL 35216
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
2107 5th Ave. N, Suite 201, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
1275 Center Point Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35215
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
2001 Park Place North, Suite 870, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
100 Corporate Pkwy, One Lake Level, Birmingham, AL 35242
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
1904 1st Ave N, Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
One Federal Place, Ste. 1000, 1819 Fifth Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
1901 6th Ave N, Ste 1100, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Pelham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
3590-B Pelham Pkwy, Suite 254, Pelham, AL 35124
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
420 North 20th Street, Suite 3400, Birmingham, AL 35203
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Hayden, AL
1901 6th Ave North, Suite 2600, Birmingham, AL 35203
Hayden Child Abandonment Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Child Abandonment attorneys in Hayden and checks their standing with Alabama bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria- Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
- Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
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Child Abandonment Cases
A child may be deemed abandoned in a variety of ways ranging from leaving an infant on a doorstep to parents being unwilling to provide care, support or supervision of a child. The exact situations that count as child abandonment vary from location to location, so it is best to contact a local attorney know precisely constitutes child abandonment in Alabama.
What Is Child Abandonment?
Child abandonment typically refers to an offense in which one or more parents knowingly and intentionally deserts a child without regard to the welfare of the child or fails to provide the necessary and required care of their child, leading to gross neglect.
In less grave circumstances, child abandonment cases can also be brought against defendants on the basis of more technical matters, such as leaving the child in the care of a non-relative or non-custodial guardian for more than three to six months without making contact or providing financial support to said child.
How to Prove Child Abandonment
In more egregious cases of child abandonment, it is evidently clear to investigating authorities that child abandonment has taken place such as eyewitness accounts, no parent present, no guardian present, the child living in squalor or suffering from obvious malnutrition.
However, in many cases, the nuances surrounding a child abandonment case may actually be a matter of contested facts or circumstances between the prosecution (representing a private plaintiff, whether a spouse, ex-spouse or family member attempting to annul parental rights of the alleged offender) and the defendant.
In these cases, the prosecution typically looks for firmer evidence that meets the requirements for termination of the defendant’s parental rights and any further penalties belonging to the alleged abandonment according to state statutes. For example, illustrating via a lack of messaging and/or money that the defendant likely did not make any effort to contact or support a child legally under their care.
How Many Days Away Is Considered Child Abandonment?
The answer to this question depends entirely on the state in which the plaintiff is pursuing charges. In some states, a definite time frame is not laid out in contested cases where a parent may be making “token” or “incidental” visits to the child they are legally responsible for, fostering no meaningful relationship over a long period of time, etc. However, if the parent(s) cannot be found by authorities after a 60-day search period in more obvious cases of abandonment, that is the legal deadline before charges can be filed.
In other states, if the child has been left without proper documentation (birth certificate) by the legal parent(s), or if the parent(s) have left the child in the care of another person for at least six months with no material support or connection, or if the plaintiff themselves has been caring for the child for one year without any material connection being made from the defendant to the child this can be grounds to form the elements of a child abandonment case.
In general, these rules apply more broadly to most states, with the vast majority of U.S. jurisdictions having enacted similar statutes regarding the practice of child abandonment.
Can You Go to Jail for Child Abandonment in Alabama?
Yes. Child abandonment is a serious offense and those convicted of it are likely to face incarceration as well as monetary fines.
What Is the Penalty for Child Abandonment?
The penalty for child abandonment depends both upon the state statutes relevant to the case (which state the case is being tried in) as well as the severity of the situation surrounding the abandonment, with a focus on the particulars.
In certain states, child abandonment can be classified as either felony or as a misdemeanor. The former can result in a possible six-year prison term, while the latter can see those convicted facing up to a year in jail in addition to a fine of $2,000.
Can a Lawyer Help With Child Abandonment Charges?
If you are facing charges related to child abandonment, your first step toward resolving the matter should be to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.
A skilled attorney familiar with child abandonment cases, case law and the precedent established by former state court judgments is an invaluable asset in protecting yourself. A lawyer familiar with these matters can advise you as to how best to proceed with your case.
A conviction related to child abandonment can lead to a lifelong criminal record, and so it is vitally important to secure adequate legal counsel before proceeding.
Are You Facing Child Abandonment Charges?
When to Hire a Lawyer
It is in your best interest to get legal help early on in addressing your situation. There are times when hiring a lawyer quickly is critical to your case, such as if you are charged with a crime. It may also be in your best interest to have a lawyer review the fine print before signing legal documents. A lawyer can also help you get the compensation you deserve if you’ve suffered a serious injury. For issues where money or property is at stake, having a lawyer guide you through the complexities of the legal system can save you time, hassle, and possibly a lot of grief in the long run.
How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation
Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.
How much does it cost to hire an attorney?
In general, how much an attorney costs will often depend on these four factors: billing method and pricing structure, type of legal work performed, law firm prestige, and attorney experience. Depending on the legal issue you are facing, an attorney may bill you by the hour, settle on a flat fee, or enter into a contingency fee agreement. The type of legal work you need help with will also play a role in cost incurred.
Common legal terms explained
Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.
If you have been charged with the crime of child abandonment, you need legal representation. Each state has its own child abandonment laws categorizing child abandonment as either a felony and other states may categorize it as a misdemeanor. For information regarding the penalties and punishment for violating child abandonment laws, contact an attorney.