New Jersey Child Abuse Attorney

Child Abuse Defense Lawyer in Haddonfield, NJ Defends Clients Charged with Endangering The Welfare of a Child Due to Child Abuse in Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, and Throughout South Jersey

Facing criminal charges for child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child can be extremely stressful, especially when those charges involve your own children. You do not have to go through this legal battle alone. With more than 30 years of experience in criminal justice, I began my career in prosecution. But I founded The Law Office of Jill R. Cohen in Haddonfield to provide compassionate criminal defense and protect the rights of criminal defendants in Camden County and fight for those who have been wrongly accused of crimes. Having handled many of these types of cases, I understand the impact that child abuse accusations and charges can have on your life, family and future.

Investigations By The Division Of Child Protection And Permanency (DCPP)

Often, criminal charges for child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child are accompanied by an investigation by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP). The findings of the DCPP can also initiate a criminal investigation. While the DCPP investigation is focused on protecting the child, a criminal investigation is focused on punishing a guilty party for wrongdoing.

Various Types Of Child Abuse And Neglect In New Jersey

Child abuse is broadly defined and can encompass a wide range of emotional, sexual or physical harm and extends to include a risk of harm to children under the age of 18 and caused by a caregiver or parent for the child. Harm or risk of harm can include:

• Abandonment of a child, when the child is willfully forsaken and exposed to the risk of abuse
• Cruelty to a child, including severe corporal punishment, infliction of pain and suffering, or continuous torment or stress
• Child neglect, including a caregiver or parent who fails to provide adequate supervision or fails to provide a child with shelter, clothing, education, medical care and food, despite being able to do so financially or with assistance

When a child isn’t supervised and that lack of supervision puts the child at risk of harm, imminent danger, abuse, or predatory behavior, including sexual abuse, a parent can face criminal charges of child abuse and child endangerment if they knew or should have known that the child was at risk.

• ★★★★★

  “If you're looking for a Criminal Defense Lawyer, Ms. Jill R. Cohen will fight for you. She showed empathy but stayed focus on the end result. Her professionalism, years of experience in detail and a strong passion for justice help me through a difficult time. Thank you so much!”

  Daniel L.
• ★★★★★

  "Jill works hard to defend the people that she represents in court."

  Michael M.
• ★★★★★

  "When looking for an attorney to handle my situation I wouldn’t settle for anyone less than the best (And I do my homework) – the best is Jill. She was very attentive to my situation, prompt with answering all of my questions and calls, and most importantly, she valued me as her client – treated me like family when I was feeling like a ball of nerves. She worked tirelessly on my case and provided me with the best-anticipated outcome and I couldn’t be more grateful for that. Take it from me – Jill is a wonderful attorney you won’t be disappointed."

  Pier L.
View All Client Reviews

Penalties And Criminal Charges You May Be Facing

Criminal charges and penalties involving with child abuse and neglect will depend highly on several factors, including:

• The severity of the facts of the crime
• The involvement of sexual abuse
• The child’s age
• The criminal history of the alleged perpetrator, including prior instances including the same child or past criminal sexual conduct
• Involvement of illegal substances
• The severity of the physical and emotional injuries inflicted on the child

In any case involving abuse of your own child, parental rights are at stake. Less serious cases can be charged as misdemeanors but can still include jail time. In cases involving sexual abuse, convictions can require lifetime registration as a child sexual offender under Megan’s Law. In the most severe cases that involve felony charges of sexual abuse or severe physical abuse, sentences can even include life in prison. Whether you are a parent, a guardian or other caregiver, facing child endangerment or other child-related domestic violence issues, a conviction can have devastating consequences, but an experienced criminal defense attorney can help.

Take Action Today To Protect Yourself

Child abuse cases are very serious, and I approach each one with compassion and take them very seriously. I offer a free consultation so that I can answer any questions that you may have and better understand the facts of your case. Call my office today at 856-830-6433 or reach out through my online form to schedule your free appointment.

I represent criminal defendants throughout South Jersey in Camden, Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township, Winslow, Pennsauken, Voorhees, Lindenwold, Haddon Township, Collingswood and Haddonfield.