Top Beaverton, OR Child Abandonment Lawyers Near You
A Criminal Defense firm representing clients in Portland, OR.
Robert Sepp is an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Who Will Educate and Defend You in Whatever Your Criminal Case May Be. Call Him Today for Any or All of Your Legal Needs!
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1140 SW 11th Avenue, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97205
111 SW Columbia St., Suite 1150, Portland, OR 97201
4614 S. Kelly Ave, Portland, OR 97239
6800 SW 105th Ave., Suite 205, Beaverton, OR 97008
1300 SW 5th Ave, Suite 2050, Portland, OR 97201
555 SE MLK Boulevard, Suite 105, Portland, OR 97214
12755 SW 69th Ave, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97223
5 Centerpointe Dr., Suite 400, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
6125 NE Cornell Road, Suite 380, Hillsboro, OR 97124
805 SW Broadway, Suite 2460, Portland, OR 97205
425 2nd Street, Suite 200, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
615 Main St, Suite 202, Oregon City, OR 97045
501 Fourth Street, Suite 324, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
1200 NW Naito Pkwy, Suite 690, Portland, OR 97209
PO Box 82189, Portland, OR 97282
239 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
12940 NW Marina Way, Slip A, Portland, OR 97231
838 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97204
909 N Beech St, Unit 217, Portland, OR 97227
333 SW Taylor Street, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97204
3439 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, Suite 286, Portland, OR 97232
1500 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 1150, Portland, OR 97201
1022 SW Salmon Street, Suite 430, Portland, OR 97205
333 SW Taylor St, Suite 400, Portland, OR 97204
1328 SW Baseline St, Suite 104, Hillsboro, OR 97123
Beaverton Child Abandonment Information
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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 Oregon.
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 Oregon?
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.
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.