Fairfield Risk of Injury to a Minor Lawyer 

Police and prosecutors in Fairfield are fiercely protective of the health, safety and welfare of minor children. For that reason, they prosecute charges of risk of injury to a minor (also referred to as child endangerment) when they believe there is a possibility that a child has been put in danger. Connecticut Risk of Injury laws consist primarily of two main provisions, one which prohibits inappropriate sexual contact, and the second which prohibits other situational behaviors which may prove injurious to minors.

These serious felony crimes will be explained in the paragraphs below, but it is crucial that if you have been arrested for risk of injury in Fairfield under CGS 53-21, then you should speak with a Fairfield risk of injury to a minor lawyer as soon as possible to improve your chances of achieving the best possible outcome in your case. A qualified domestic violence attorney could advocate for you.

Risk of Injury Arrests for Contact with Intimate Parts

The most serious offense under risk of injury laws concerns improper contact with a child’s intimate body parts.

CGS 53-21(a)(2) of the Connecticut penal code prohibits an adult from having any form of contact with intimate body parts of a minor under the age of 16 if such contact is undertaken in a manner that is sexual and indecent and is likely to impair the health or morals of the minor. Similarly, the law prohibits adults from allowing the minor to make contact with their intimate body parts.

One problem with risk of injury law is that whether the conduct is criminal is a bit subjective.  For instance, what one person considers to be regular bathing practices of a child may very well be considered by another to be inappropriate.

Risk of Injury to a Child’s Health or Morals

The most common risk of injury arrest in Fairfield is described in CGS 53-21(a)(1) of the Connecticut penal code and is often called situational risk of injury.

This subsection prohibits adults from placing (or allowing) a minor under the age of 16 in circumstances where the minor:

• Faces physical danger
• Is likely to suffer injury to physical or mental health, or
• Is likely to have their morals compromised or impaired

Situational Risk of Injury

This provision is written to cover a nearly unlimited set of circumstances. Some common instances where police have issued charges in Fairfield and elsewhere in Connecticut include leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, excessively disciplining a child, allowing a child to view sexually explicit images, and driving under the influence with their child in the car.

If there is any concern that a behavior may pose physical harm to a child or damage a child’s developing sense of moral suitability, law enforcement officials have discretion under the law to issue a charge of risk of injury to a minor.

Penalties for Risk of Injury Violations

All risk of injury charges brought under CGS 53-21 are classified as felonies under Connecticut law. A violation of the subsection prohibiting sexual contact is defined as a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $15,000. In addition, those found guilty must register as sexual offenders.

For a violation of CGS 53-21(a)(1) involving situational risk of injury to the health of morals a minor, the offense is treated as a Class C felony with a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A Fairfield risk of injury to a minor lawyer could attempt to mitigate the penalties that you face.

Hiring a Fairfield Risk of Injury Attorney

Risk of injury and child endangerment charges are serious charges with potentially devastating consequences. For that reason, it is vital to seek counsel from a Fairfield risk of injury to a minor lawyer as soon as possible to understand your options and begin working toward the optimal resolution based on the circumstances of your case.