Child abuse allegations are serious charges that can carry significant legal consequences. If you are facing such allegations in Nevada, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the complexities of these cases and can provide you with a strong defense.
Five key things to know about hiring our Las Vegas child abuse lawyers are:
- We understand that being falsely accused of child abuse can be frightening and overwhelming, affecting every aspect of your life. That is why we are committed to investigating, litigating, and negotiating until we craft the best defense possible.
- At Las Vegas Defense Group, we have a team of seven lawyers who have successfully defended clients against all types of child abuse charges, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, endangerment, medical care neglect, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation.
- There are many possible defenses that can get your charges dismissed, including that the injury occurred by accident, that you acted in self-defense, or that you were falsely accused.
- We may be able to get the state’s evidence in your case thrown out if we can show the police obtained it through illegal means, such as an unconstitutional search and seizure or a forced confession.
- In most cases, we can get you released on bail or your own recognizance, and we may be able to resolve the case without you ever having to personally appear in court.
In short, our Las Vegas child abuse lawyers are here to fight for your rights and freedom, and to help you achieve the most favorable possible outcome in your case.
Crafting the Best Defense Possible
One of the first things we do as your Las Vegas child abuse attorney is to conduct a thorough investigation of the entire case. We will
- interview all witnesses who may have seen or heard the alleged abuse,
- examine the accuser’s emails, voicemails, texts, and other communications for motivations to lie, and
- gather any other relevant evidence, such as video recordings of the alleged incident.
In addition, we obtain the child’s medical records, which may show that any physical injuries predated the incident or that the child had preexisting mental health issues. Depending on the available evidence, we then craft a defense strategy tailored to your unique circumstances.
Here are some common defenses that may be used in child abuse cases:
- The incident was an accident.
- You acted in lawful self-defense.1
- Your actions were lawful corporal punishment.2
- Your co-parent falsely accused you.
- The child’s injuries were self-inflicted.
If you are accused of child abuse, you are advised to hire private counsel to protect your rights.
Meeting with Prosecutors
Once we have crafted a defense strategy, our Las Vegas child abuse lawyers will meet with prosecutors to present our case. If prosecutors see that there is reasonable doubt as to your guilt, they may agree to reduce or drop the charges. If not, we will work to
- negotiate a plea bargain or
- fight the charges at trial.
During plea bargain negotiations, our legal team goes over all the pros and cons of taking a plea deal versus risking a guilty verdict at trial. In some cases, it may make sense to plea to a lesser offense, especially if the state has incriminating evidence that cannot be suppressed.
However, if you choose to go to trial, we will use every available legal tactic to sway the jury to return a “not guilty” verdict. This may include
- impeaching the accuser’s credibility,
- challenging the prosecution’s evidence, and
- presenting expert witnesses to refute their claims.
Staying Out on Bail During the Case
Your judge will probably let you be released on bail while your case is pending. If the bail amount is unaffordable however, our Las Vegas child abuse attorneys can schedule a bail hearing to argue for
- a lower bail or
- own recognizance release (O.R.) where no payment is required at all.
Getting Incriminating Evidence Thrown Out
The Fourth Amendment protects everyone from unreasonable searches and seizures. So if the police found incriminating evidence through an unlawful search, our Las Vegas child abuse lawyers would file a motion to suppress asking the judge to disregard the illegally obtained evidence.
If the judge grants the motion to suppress, then the district attorney’s case against you may be severely weakened. They may even drop the case for lack of proof.3
Do I Have to Go to Court?
As your Las Vegas child abuse attorney, we can usually appear in court on your behalf without you having to appear as well. In some felony cases, judges may require you to personally appear during the arraignment.
In general, Nevada judges only require your presence during the preliminary hearing and trial. However, many child abuse cases get resolved before they even reach that point.
Is a Child Abuse Attorney Really Necessary?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you hire a private criminal defense attorney if you are accused of child abuse and neglect in Nevada. The stakes are high, and not only do you face long prison or jail sentences and high fines, but the county’s Department of Family Services could potentially get involved and take away your child custody rights.
Furthermore, public defenders simply do not have the time or resources to wage the relentless defense necessary to try to avoid a child abuse conviction. A skilled private attorney will manage the entire case so that you can rest assured you are getting the best defense possible.
Call Our Nevada Law Firm for Legal Advice
If you are facing child abuse allegations in Nevada, our experienced Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers are here to help. We offer consultations and case evaluations, and we can represent you throughout Clark County, Washoe County, Nye County, and the state of Nevada.
Our practice areas also include family law, so we can represent you in your CPS (Child Protective Services) case as well. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you defend your rights and freedom.
Legal References
- For example, Brock v. State (2019) (unpublished). NRS 200.508.
- For example, Newman v. State (2013) .
- For example, Geddings v. State (2016) 132 Nev. 971 (unpublished).