Every crime in California is defined by a specific code section. Our attorneys explain the law, penalties and best defense strategies for every major crime in California.
Crimes by Code
Every crime in California is defined by a specific code section. Our attorneys explain the law, penalties and best defense strategies for every major crime in California.
California DUI
DUI arrests don't always lead to convictions in court. Police officer mistakes, faulty breathalyzers and crime lab errors may get your charges reduced or dismissed. Visit our California DUI page to learn more.
Post Conviction
A criminal record can affect job, immigration, licensing and even housing opportunities. In this section, we offer solutions for clearing up your prior record.
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Many states do have specific laws that make it illegal to leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle. Depending on the facts of your case, and the state you live in, you could violate one of these laws if:
Prosecutors typically charge violations of these laws as misdemeanor offenses (as opposed to a felony or an infraction).
Please also note that many states have child endangerment laws that make it a crime to willfully exposing a child to unjustifiable:
This means you could possibly face criminal charges if you:
In many states, no. Many states have laws in place that make it illegal for you to leave your child unattended in a vehicle while the vehicle’s engine is running.
For example, Washington law states that:
“It is unlawful for any person, while operating or in charge of a vehicle, to park or willfully allow such vehicle to stand upon a public highway or in a public place with its motor running, leaving a minor child or children under the age of sixteen years unattended in the vehicle.”1
A violation of this type of law is typically charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail.2
Many jurisdictions say that it is illegal to leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle when the vehicle’s engine of off, provided that the child is under a certain age.
For example, Texas law states that you commit a crime if you intentionally or knowingly leave a child in a motor vehicle knowing that the child is:
Violations of such laws are typically charged as misdemeanors. Offenders could face fines and/or jail time.
It can in some states. Some states say that you only violate the law if you leave a child unattended for more than a certain period of time.
For example, under Illinois law, it is against the law to leave a young child under the age of six alone in a parked car for more than 10 minutes. The law says that a child is considered “unattended” if:
Hypothetically, you can legally leave a child unattended in a car in these states if you are quickly running errands.
You will face criminal charges if you violate these laws. Again, prosecutors typically charge violations as misdemeanor offenses. Penalties can include jail time and/or fines.
They can under certain state laws. Some states say that you are only guilty of an offense if you leave your child unattended in a vehicle in unsafe conditions.
Under Nevada law, for example, a parent or legal guardian faces criminal liability if:
Nevada treats a violation of this law as a misdemeanor offense, punishable by:
Many states have child endangerment laws that make it a crime for you to expose a child to some type of unnecessary pain or danger.6
Prosecutors can therefore charge you with endangering a child if you:
For example, you could face endangerment charges if you leave a child alone in a parking lot under the following circumstances:
A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.