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Virginia Child Abuse Lawyer

As defined by Virginia law, what behavior constitutes child abuse is a large category that encompasses a number of different behaviors that are proscribed by Virginia law. That can include anything from physically harming a child to neglecting a child to causing a child to be in need of services in some way.

An individual facing these charges should not face them without the help of a distinguished Virginia child abuse lawyer who has an understanding of local laws as they apply to your case.

Following the Report of Child Abuse

It is important to have a Virginia child abuse lawyer by the side of the person being accused before more parties get involved in the case. Typically after an incident of child abuse is reported Virginia, law enforcement will become involved and will interview whoever made the complaint as well as make an attempt to interview the defendant. It is often the case that child protective services will become involved and will attempt to interview all of the people involved.

Criminal Consequences

When someone is charged with a child abuse-related crime, their criminal record will immediately show is a pending charge. The pending charges are typically a matter of public record, which emphasizes the need for a Virginia child abuse lawyer when creating one’s defense. Nevertheless, it will be immediately visible to anyone conducting a background check.

There are a number of negative consequences associated with child abuse conviction in the long term. Perhaps the worst is having a criminal record. In many other cases, such as where custody or visitation is contested, having a conviction can impact an individual’s ability to get custody, retain custody, get visitation, and retain visitation.

Virginia child abuse lawyers have seen cases where the charges follow the individual on the civil side as it relates to children in addition to the consequences that they may have at work or future employment. Speaking to a lawyer about your case may be vital to your defense.

Consequences of Civil Case Results

For civil cases where child abuse is alleged, whether a custody case, visitation case, or a proceeding brought by protective services, the evidence brought forward, in that case, can have a consequence in the criminal case.

Anything that the defendant might say on the civil side of a child abuse case can be used against them in a criminal context. While nothing the civil court does is going to be binding on the criminal court, there are all kinds of tactical benefits that a Virginia child abuse lawyer can advise you on for that civil case.

There are also a number of landmines the individual can step on by not having an experienced lawyer to advise them.

Effects of a Criminal Case

What happens in a Virginia criminal child abuse case can have a profound impact on a civil case. Whenever an individual is convicted or found guilty by a criminal court, it is something that a civil judge can take into account when determining the best interest of a child and whether it is appropriate for the defendant either to have custody or to have visitation.

In addition, any testimony that a defendant might give in a criminal case can be used against them in a civil case. Any evidence brought forth in a criminal case can be used against him or her.

Everything that happens in the course of the criminal case has the potential to reverberate on the civil side. It is extremely important whenever an individual is charged with child abuse or neglect to have a Virginia child abuse lawyer who can help them understand tactically how what the individual does on the criminal side will affect what happens on the civil side.

Contacting a Virginia Child Abuse Lawyer

When convicted or accused of abusing a child in Virginia, the person is charged with something serious. Anyone facing these charges should immediately contact a Virginia child abuse lawyer to go over their case. Many instances of child abuse or neglect are charged as felonies.

Virginia child abuse charges can result in a prison sentence, the loss of civil rights, the loss of the ability to possess a firearm, and in many cases, the loss of the ability to work.

Even when abuse of a minor or child is a misdemeanor, it is serious in terms of creating a criminal record that can follow that person throughout their life, create employment consequences, and in some Virginia child abuse cases, have significant negative consequences for custody or visitation with children.

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