Maryland Family Lawyer

Child Abuse

Our experienced Maryland criminal defense lawyers At Jezic & Moyse will aggressively search for every conceivable avenue of defense to beat your criminal charge. Mr. Jezic has not lost a child abuse jury trial in Montgomery County since 2008 - in at least 12 such trials.

Too many criminal defense lawyers begin talk of a plea bargain too soon when they hear of a confession or other incriminating evidence against their client. Our Maryland criminal defense team does not give in until the last bit of aggressive defense strategy is exhausted.

If there is an unusual, technical defense to your charges, our Maryland criminal defense lawyers will find it. If there is a creative way for you to avoid the normal punishment for a given set of circumstances, we will find it.(See client testimonials).

Our lawyers are in court everyday in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, defending the accused and fighting for the best possible result in every case.

Under Maryland code 5-705.1, child abuse refers to the physical or mental injury of a child that harms the child’s health and/or wellness, or presents the risk of putting the child’s health/wellness in harm’s way. The code states that the harm can be inflicted by:

  • A parent
  • A guardian
  • A family member
  • A household member
  • An authoritative figure, based on position

Child abuse not only includes physical and mental harm, but also stems to the sexual abuse of a child. Sexual abuse is defined as any physical contact of a sexual nature. This includes indecent exposure, child grooming, and other acts of sexual nature. 

Child Abuse Crimes

A wide variety of crimes fall under the category of child abuse, with varying circumstances, severity, and penalties. Some common crimes that constitute as child abuse may include: 

  • Threats - In certain states, verbal threats against a child can be considered child abuse. Repeated tormenting or harassment of a child falls under emotional abuse, which is covered under Maryland code 5-705. 
  • Assault - The physical abuse of a child is punishable by law, and constitutes as child abuse under Maryland law. Even if no injury occurs, a defendant can still be charged with child abuse. 
  • Sexual abuse crimes - Sex crimes against a child fall under child abuse, but also carry heavy penalties associated with sex crimes against a minor. 
  • Neglect - Child neglect is defined as not adequately providing a child basic needs, such as clothing, shelter, food ect. This also includes educational, emotional, and safety needs.
  • Endangerment - Child endangerment is defined as putting a child in imminent danger as a direct result of your actions. Even if the act was not intentional, you can still be charged with child endangerment. 

If you are accused of a child abuse crime in Maryland, it is always best to seek the counsel of a child abuse lawyer. An experienced child abuse lawyer can help you during the trial process, and look into the details of your case to determine the best defense. 

Penalties for Child Abuse Crimes

Specific penalties for child abuse will heavily depend on the charges you are accused of, and vary greatly in both jail time and monetary penalties. Examples of these crimes include: 

First Degree Child Abuse

First degree child abuse is a felony charge that occurs when a child is abused by a parent, guardian, or authorotative figure over the child. This abuse must have been determined to be cruel/inhumane treatment of the child (or a malicious attack)  that results in serious physical injury to the child, and demonstrates a threat to the child’s health or welfare. 

The term “serious physical harm” refers to physical injuries like brain trauma, extreme malnutrition, or any other physical harm that causes a substantial risk to the child’s life. The penalties for first degree child abuse can include hefty fines, loss of parental rights, and a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison. 

Second Degree Child Abuse 

Second degree child abuse is a felony charge that occurs when a child is abused by a parent, guardian, or authoritative figure over the child, and the injuries inflicted are not life threatening. The penalty for second degree child abuse can result in hefty fines, loss of parental rights, and a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

Sexual Abuse of a Child 

Sexual abuse of a child is a felony charge in the state of Maryland, and covers a wide range of sexual acts against a minor when the act is committed by a parent, guardian, or authoritative figure. The penalties for sex abuse crimes can include hefty fines, loss of parental rights, a lifetime on the national sex offender registry, and a maximum jail sentence of up to 25 years in prison. 

Child Neglect 

Child neglect is a misdemeanor charge that occurs when a parent, guardian, or authoritative figure neglects a child’s physical mental, or emotional needs. The act of neglect does not have to be intentional, and is punishable by law in the state of Maryland with penalties including fines of up to $5,000, loss of parental rights, and a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. 

Hiring a Child Abuse Lawyer in Maryland

If you are facing child abuse charges in the state of Maryland, you should take these accusations seriously and hire a child abuse lawyer. At the Law Offices of Jezic & Moyse, our attorneys can review the details of your case and determine the best possible defense for your child abuse case. Once we have prepared the best defense possible, we can guide you through the trial process, ensuring your rights are maintained along the way.

If you are looking for a reputable attorney that is experienced with defending child abuse cases, contact the Law Offices of Jezic & Moyse for a free initial review of your case.

Selected as one of area's top lawyers in SUPERLAWYERS & The WASHINGTONIAN!

Andrew V. Jezic

Super Lawyers magazine has recognized Mr. Jezic as one of the best 10 lawyers in all of Maryland for three years in a row, 2022, 2023, and 2024. From 2011 to 2022, Mr. Andrew Jezic was selected to the very exclusive list of best criminal lawyers by Washingtonian magazine. Mr. Jezic’s wins in high-profile criminal cases have been featured in many news articles and on national TV shows, including Dateline NBC, Dr. Oz, the Tucker Carlson show, and the Capital Gazette.

In 2017 Mr. Jezic was honored as one of the “Most Influential Marylanders” by the Daily Record, Maryland’s preeminent legal and business newspaper. Mr. Jezic is a past president of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association. Mr. Jezic has received nearly 100 percent of very positive reviews from scores of clients.

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Criminal Defense Attorney Andrew V. Jezic
Criminal Defense Attorney David H. Moyse

DAVID H. MOYSE

Rockville Criminal defense lawyer David H. Moyse currently serves as co-chair of the Montgomery County Bar Association’s Criminal Law Section.

Since forming Jezic & Moyse as a founding partner in 2008, he has received several notable recognitions. They include being named to SuperLawyers since 2013, and the Washingtonian magazine’s Top Lawyers list from 2017 to 2023. Mr. Moyse has received nearly 100 percent of glowing reviews from clients.

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