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Child Abuse Defense

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Allegations of child abuse are some of the most difficult criminal charges to face.  The stigma associated with mistreating children is one that is almost impossible to overcome.  No one wants to be known as someone who beats or sexually abuses a child. When you are fighting these charges, it is important to have an experienced child abuse lawyer. At Bickerton Law, our firm has successfully defended clients from all walks of life against charges of child abuse.

People who are accused of child abuse often the subject of a criminal investigation and the target of a children and youth investigation. When an individual is accused of child abuse, children and youth services are responsible for conducting an investigation and determining whether they believe that the alleged abuse happened. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services keeps a Childline registry of individuals who are considered indicated or founded perpetrators of child abuse. Although the Childline registry is not public, people who are on it are often not allowed to volunteer at schools or work with children.

Bickerton Law has extensive experience representing clients in the criminal justice system as well as guiding clients through the children and youth services investigation process.   If you are facing child abuse charges or are challenging a Childline determination, contact the firm of Bickerton Law at (412) 596-8124 for a free consultation today.

Bickerton Law is located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh in Ross Township near McCandless.

For more information on charges of child physical abuse and neglect, click here

For more information on charges of child sexual abuse, click here.

 



Physical Abuse and Neglect Charges

What one person considers proper discipline is what another considers child abuse.  Where one parent may consider it to be okay to leave a child home alone, another person may believe that the child was too young and that the parent has endangered and neglected their child.  The truth of the matter is that the legal standards for child abuse and neglect are subjective.  With the current legal standards, many parents and caretakers find themselves facing criminal charges for behaviors that may or may not actually be abusive.  In those cases, the defendant is dealing with an honest misunderstanding or a difference of opinion over child discipline and supervision.  In other cases, a defendant may be facing allegations of child abuse that are false.  Whether you are dealing with a difference of opinion over child discipline and supervision or you are facing a false allegation of child abuse, you need to have an attorney who is knowledgeable enough to examine the evidence in your case and get the best outcome for you.

Child Abuse and Neglect Statutes in Pennsylvania

  • Endangering the Welfare of Children, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 4304
  • Simple Assault, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2701
  • Corruption of Minors, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6301

Child Sexual Abuse Charges

Allegations of child sexual abuse change a person’s life forever.  From being required to register as a Megan’s Law offender to losing custody of your children, there are many serious consequences when you are charged with sexually abusing a child.

Although the American justice system has a presumption of innocence, being innocent of an allegation of child molestation is often not enough to beat the abuse charges.  In cases involving charges of child sexual abuse, there is usually no physical evidence that will help prove or disprove the child’s allegation.  To successfully defeat a false allegation of abuse, it takes an experienced attorney who knows how to properly investigate the charges and fight to bring out the truth.  The Pittsburgh child abuse defense lawyer of  Bickerton Law has successfully defended clients falsely accused of child sexual abuse by thoroughly examining the evidence in the case and by consulting with experts trained in child sexual abuse cases.

Child Sexual Abuse Statues in Pennsylvania

  • Rape of a Child, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3121 (d) and (e)
  • Statutory Sexual Assault, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3122.1
  • Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3123 (b) and (c)
  • Indecent Assault of a Child, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3126 (a)(7) and (8)
  • Incest, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 4302
  • Unlawful Contact with a Minor, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6318
  • Sexual Exploitation of Children, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6320
  • Sexual Abuse of Children, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6312
  • Possession of Child Pornography, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6312(d)