Law in Georgia makes it a crime to remain silent about possible child abuse

Child abuse charges are serious accusations in Jacksonville and every city in the country. Allegations of violence against children are often felony charges that carry not only possible prison time, but a lifetime of having a “violent” criminal history. The state of Georgia has made it a crime to fail to report signs of child abuse on children. According to an article in The Florida Times Union, people who work with children (coaches, volunteers, scout leaders) must call the police if they suspect someone is abusing a child. If the person fails to report within twenty-four hours, that person is facing a misdemeanor charge and up to one year in jail.

While there is no specific law like this in Florida that applies to all people who work with children, teachers and doctors must report suspected child abuse to the police of the Florida Department of Children and Families. When representing a client on child abuse charges in Duval County, the case often starts with a call from a professional to the authorities. The Department, also referred to as DCF, gets involved and interviews the child. DCF will then call the police and the officer will question the child or take the child to the First Coast Child Protection Team to be interviewed. After the interview is conducted, the police will attempt to call the suspect. If you are accused of child abuse charges in Duval, Clay or Nassau County, call a Jacksonville Child Abuse Attorney immediately. Even before you speak to the police. Anything you say to them can and will be used against you.

Child abuse in Jacksonville is defined as the intentional infliction of physical or mental injury on a child, committing an intentional act that could be expected to result in physical or mental injury to the child or actively encouraging anyone to commit an act that could cause injury to a child. If convicted of this child violence charge in Florida, the maximum punishment is five years in prison. There is also an elevated abuse charge called Aggravated Child Abuse. This Jacksonville abuse charge is committed when someone commits a Jacksonville aggravated battery on a child, willfully tortures, maliciously punishes, or cages a child. You can also be convicted of this Duval County crime if your abuse of the child causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement. If you are convicted of an Aggravated Child Abuse in Florida, you are facing up to thirty years in prison because the charge is a first degree felony.

Our Child Abuse Attorney in Jacksonville, Victoria “Tori” Mussallem is experienced in defending people accused of committing crimes against children. She aggressively defends people charged with all crimes. Call The Mussallem Law Firm today at (904) 365-5200 for a FREE CONSULTATION. Our Duval Abuse Attorney is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.