Child Abuse

Child Abuse Felony Defense Lawyer

Child abuse in Utah is a serious crime. Child abuse can range from a 2nd Degree Felony to a Class C misdemeanor under Utah law depending on the severity of the allegations. It is important that if you are being investigated or have already been charged that you retain a lawyer with experience to make sure that you have proper legal defense throughout the process. We have had clients that have had these charges against them and have been charged as felonies. We understand that it is stressful to be wrongfully accused and that you want to make sure that your side of the story is told so that the prosecutor can understand and realize your innocence.

Child Abuse Felony

If you have been charged with child abuse at a felony level or at a Class A misdemeanor level you need to make sure that you have a preliminary hearing where you really tie down the story of the prosecution and see what they are basing the charges on. This can be a very critical stage of the process, and one that you need a child abuse attorney that has experience. At Arnold, Wadsworth & Coggins Attorneys, we have dealt with these charges and understand what kind of experts you need and how to present your case.

We offer a free consultation therefore if you are facing child abuse charges in Salt Lake County, Utah County, Davis County or Weber County we can help with offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Lehi, Utah. We will meet with you at either office in order to quickly assess your case and move in the right direction.

The current child abuse statute for a felony reads;

Utah Code Annotated 76-5-109(2)

(2) Any person who inflicts upon a child serious physical injury or, having the care or custody of such child, causes or permits another to inflict serious physical injury upon a child is guilty of an offense as follows:
(a) if done intentionally or knowingly, the offense is a felony of the second degree;
(b) if done recklessly, the offense is a felony of the third degree; or
(c) if done with criminal negligence, the offense is a class A misdemeanor.

(3) Any person who inflicts upon a child physical injury or, having the care or custody of such child, causes or permits another to inflict physical injury upon a child is guilty of an offense as follows:
(a) if done intentionally or knowingly, the offense is a class A misdemeanor;
(b) if done recklessly, the offense is a class B misdemeanor; or
(c) if done with criminal negligence, the offense is a class C misdemeanor.

We help clients in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Layton, Sandy, Draper, North Salt Lake City, Kaysville, and other major cities in Utah.