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Aggravated Child Abuse

Crimes against children are taken very seriously in the state of Florida, as well as throughout the whole United States. Minors are considered especially vulnerable to exploitation and victimization, with potential abuse around every corner from teachers, parents, siblings, extended family members, peers, and strangers. In an effort to protect children, criminal offenses against them are prosecuted severely, and met with harsh punishments. If you’ve been charged with a crime against a child, contact Hanlon Law today to schedule a free consultation. 


What is Child Abuse?


Aggravated child abuse is, ostensibly, child abuse with an aggravating factor. To understand the charge, we must first understand child abuse itself. 


The primary charge of child abuse is defined by Florida law as the intentional inflicting of physical or mental injury upon a child. This includes intentional acts that could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child, even if the injury itself was not intended by the perpetrator. Florida law also extends this charge to include any intentional encouragement of another person to commit child abuse. 


What is Aggravated Child Abuse?


Aggravated child abuse, on the other hand, is defined as a form of child abuse in which one of the following criteria is met:


  • The abuse falls under the category of aggravated battery
  • The abuse included torture, malicious punishment, or the willful and unlawful caging of a child
  • The abuse caused great bodily harm, permanent disability, and/or permanent disfigurement


What Are the Consequences of Aggravated Child Abuse? 


Generally speaking, child abuse is charged as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison along with a $5,000 fine. 


As a more severe form of child abuse, aggravated child abuse is charged as a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. There may also be other minimum penalties depending on the specifics and circumstances of the case.


Kissimmee Criminal Defense Lawyers 


Where other defense attorneys might shy away from aggravated child abuse cases, and child abuse cases in general, we here at Hanlon Law do not. If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense involving a minor victim, such as child abuse, aggravated child abuse, child neglect, or aggravated child neglect, don’t leave anything to chance. Contact Hanlon Law today to schedule a free consultation.

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