Have You Been Accused of Child Abuse?

Looney Smith Conrad & Hefti P.C., Criminal Defense Law Firm

Houston Child Abuse Attorneys

Since 1995 criminal defense trial attorney Paul Looney has litigated

60 criminal jury trials with Zero Final Convictions

Many child abuse investigations result in unsubstantiated or false allegations made by a child, teacher, or one of the parents. Our Houston Child Abuse Attorneys take child abuse very seriously and support legislative efforts to protect children.

Unfortunately, many parents, relatives and other adults are falsely accused in retaliation for a failed relationship.  Sometimes it happens because of the whims of a child. When a person is accused of child abuse, he is generally condemned by well-meaning but horrified third parties.  The truth should be the first thing sought in these situations.  Rushing to judgment is a natural result of our instinctive desire to protect children.  However, it makes it difficult to obtain a fair trial with the presumption of innocence intact.

The Houston Child Abuse Attorneys are dedicated to child abuse criminal defense.  We are well-known in the legal community for expertise in this area of law.  Our trial attorney Paul Looney, has been featured as an expert commentator on high profile child abuse trials.  One of those was the McMartin Day Care sex abuse trial.

Criminal charges involving child abuse often have an emotional factor that should be part of an effective defense. We use our experience and knowledge to investigate every detail of the charges.  When in trial, we strive to select a fair and unbiased jury.  We present a defense based on protecting the person’s rights.  Our goal is to keep him or her out of jail, as well as minimizing the consequences of the charges.

Child Abuse Information and Child Abuse Facts

Child abuse includes both neglect and the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of children. Although most people think first of physical abuse, neglect, emotional and sexual abuse makes up the majority of reported cases.

Types of Child Abuse

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is defined as physical injury intentionally or knowingly inflicted on a child. The law recognizes that in some cases the parent or caretaker may not have intended to hurt the child.  Rather, the injury may have resulted from excessive discipline or physical punishment.

Physical abuse includes punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning, shaking or otherwise physically harming a child. Injuries that can be fatal include severe head trauma and shaken baby syndrome.  Trauma to the abdomen or chest, scalding, burns, drowning, suffocation and poisoning can be fatal as well.  This type of abuse should always be reported, investigated, and stopped.

Child Neglect

Child neglect accounts for 60% of all cases.  Neglect can be failing to meet the basic needs of a child including inadequate food, an unsafe or unclean home.  It can also be neglecting to provide necessary medical care. Failure to provide for a child’s emotional well-being and repeated exposure to domestic violence are also neglect.  Failing to provide for a child’s educational requirements is also a type of neglect.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse happens when a person has a pattern of behavior having a negative impact on a child.  This can be emotional well-being and development. Emotional abuse can take many forms. Withholding affection, threats, being excessively critical and confining a child to small spaces for extended amounts of time are abusive.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse accounts for about 10% of  child abuse cases.  It is defined as the use of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult. It can include inducing, coercing or persuading a child to engage in or assist with a sexual act. Rape, child prostitution, pornography and exploitation of a child are examples.

Is Anybody Listening?

Doctors alleging child abuse based on questionable injuries has become a pervasive problem across this country.  Our attorney Wade B. Smith has exposed several of these cases to the Harris County Grand Jury.  A “No Bill” means determining the criminal charges alleged were not sufficiently supported by the evidence.

 

Are you looking for a criminal defense law firm?
Call us today (281) 597-8818 in Houston or (979) 826-8484 in Hempstead.

We are Criminal Lawyers Near 77079 and Criminal Lawyers Near 77445.

When you need Houston Child Abuse Attorneys, contact

Looney Smith Conrad & Hefti P.C. at 281-597-8818.

Our experienced Child Abuse Lawyers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

for a no-obligation case evaluation.

We serve Houston, the State of Texas and the entire United States.

Call for Houston Child Abuse Attorneys Near Me.