Charged with a crime in San Diego? Wondering how the case will affect your reputation, career, and freedom? Trying to figure out what comes next? Look no further! David’s book addresses common misconceptions and mistakes made by those charged with a crime in San Diego. Some of the chapters include topics such as:
Our team has defended numerous child endangerment cases in San Diego courts. We'll carefully review your case to develop a robust defense strategy.
If You’ve Been Charged With Child Endangerment...
You’re not just facing a criminal accusation—you’re facing a direct threat to your freedom, your family, and your future. These cases often move quickly, with prosecutors, social workers, and judges ready to act before you’ve had a chance to explain. Don’t try to handle this on your own. Call now, and protect what matters most before it’s too late.
San Diego Child Endangerment Defense
Prosecutors, judges, and the public at large take a hard stance against those who have committed crimes against children. If you are accused of child endangerment in San Diego, you are facing severe criminal penalties. Even an accusation of child endangerment can forever soil the reputation of the accused. Parents, teachers, coaches, relatives, and other adults all face charges for child endangerment under California Penal Code 273a (PC273a).
If you stand accused of child endangerment, you need and deserve a quality, locally experienced criminal defense law firm on your side. Do everything you can to protect your reputation and preserve your freedom. Contact David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys and learn how you can fight back against child endangerment charges.
What Constitutes Child Endangerment in California?
Child endangerment includes any activity that places a child at risk of physical, emotional, or mental harm. Unlike child abuse charges, where actual abuse takes place, placing the child at risk of harm is the crime in child endangerment cases. Actual injury need not occur for the police to make an arrest and for the prosecution to file charges. Examples of child endangerment can include:
Physical Abuse
Parents, coaches, babysitters, and other adults responsible for children may face charges of child endangerment for allowing others to abuse children entrusted to their care. Placing a child at risk of physical abuse can result in charges.
Neglect
Failure to care for children entrusted to your supervision can lead to child endangerment charges. This may include inattentive care, poor care, or leaving children with unqualified caregivers (such as a sibling who, while older, may be too young for the role).
Alcohol and Drugs
Alcohol and drug consumption may contribute to criminal behavior. This can lead parents or guardians to endanger children in their care. Using drugs in front of children, and/or allowing children access to alcohol or drugs, can result in child endangerment charges.
Hot Cars
Cars can reach temperatures much higher than the outside temperature. Kids left in locked cars can be at risk of heat-related illness and injury in a short amount of time. Neither prosecutors nor the public care much if this was the first time you left your child alone in a hot car. Punishment can be harsh if convicted.
DUI Cases
California boasts some of the harshest penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Add children to the mix, and the penalties increase substantially, usually involving actual jail time. Transporting children in a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants can also lead to additional charges for child endangerment.
Other Factors
Child endangerment is often a component of other criminal activities. It is possible to be charged with child endangerment for failing to report suspected child abuse, poor supervision, threats of abuse, and many other actions.
Penalties for Child Endangerment in San Diego
Conviction of child endangerment in San Diego and across California can lead to lengthy jail or prison sentences. Depending on case severity, PC273a charges may lead to misdemeanor or felony convictions. Those convicted of child endangerment may also face:
- Probation or parole
- Loss of parental rights
- Classes and counseling
- Embarrassing home visits
- Restitution, fines, and court fees
An accusation of child endangerment can be extremely unsettling. Gain confidence and peace of mind by retaining a quality, locally experienced, child endangerment law firm on your side. There is too much at stake to do this alone or with one hand tied behind your back!
Defending Against Child Endangerment Charges (PC273a)
Suspicion of placing a child in danger of harm is enough for the filing of child endangerment charges. The accused individual(s) must then defend against the charges or face severe criminal penalties if convicted. A strategic defense will establish:
- Relationship: Charges of child endangerment require the person to have assumed responsibility for the child. This will often be the parents, but may also include grandparents, teachers, daycare workers, and others.
- Intent: Intent can play a large role in determining the outcome of a case, but it is not always required to be proven in these types of cases. Neglect leading to child endangerment may be intentional or unintentional.
- Danger: There must be sufficient reason to believe deliberate action or inaction resulted in an actual threat to a child. For example, leaving a child unattended in the presence of a loaded gun. There must be an actual risk of harm for charges to apply.
Child endangerment charges are serious criminal accusations with heavy penalties for those convicted. When your freedom and reputation are on the line, what can, or should, you do? Start by retaining a quality, locally experienced criminal defense law firm to be with you every step of the way.
Why Choose David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys?
When your freedom, your family, and your future are under attack, you can’t afford a passive attorney. You need defenders who take the offensive.
Laser-Focused Criminal Defense
We don’t do divorces. We don’t do injury claims. We live and breathe criminal defense in San Diego, every single day. That focus means we stay sharp, stay aggressive, and know exactly how to counter child endangerment charges.
Strategic, Courtroom-Tested Defense
We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial—even if it’s not. This preparation leads to dismissals, reductions, and better outcomes. Prosecutors know we don’t bluff. If your case goes to trial, we’ll be ready to go all-in for your defense.
Understanding the Real-World Stakes
We know this is about more than just avoiding jail. It’s about your career. Your kids. Your reputation. We fight like it’s personal—because to you, it is.
What to Do If You’ve Been Arrested or Investigated in San Diego
Do not talk to police or CPS without a lawyer.
They are not on your side, even if they act friendly. Anything you say can and will be used to build a case against you.
Don’t try to “explain” the situation on your own.
Well-meaning explanations often get twisted into confessions. Let your lawyer do the talking.
Contact our office immediately.
The sooner we’re involved, the more control you have over the outcome.
Speak with a San Diego Child Endangerment Attorney Today
We don’t take every case. We take the right ones—and we fight hard. Our clients are real people: parents, professionals, spouses—people whose lives are turned upside down by false or exaggerated allegations.
We help good people take back control.
If you or someone you love has been charged with child endangerment, don’t wait. Early action can mean the difference between a clean slate and a conviction that follows you forever.
Contact David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys now to schedule a confidential consultation. Your future is worth fighting for. Let’s get started today.
California Central Courthouse
City courthouse in San Diego, California
- Address:1100 Union St, San Diego, CA 92101
- Hours: Open – Closed 4PM
- Phone:(619) 844-2700
Is child endangerment a felony or a misdemeanor?
It can be either. Misdemeanor charges apply when the child wasn’t at risk of great bodily harm and carry up to 1 year in county jail. Felony charges apply when there’s risk of serious injury or death and can lead to up to 6 years in prison. The prosecutor decides how to charge based on the facts, so having a defense attorney involved early is critical.
What should I do if CPS contacts me?
Do not speak to CPS without an attorney. CPS investigators are trained to collect statements that can be used in both family and criminal court. Even innocent answers can be taken out of context. Contact our office immediately—we can help protect your rights and handle communications on your behalf.
Can I go to jail for a child endangerment charge?
Unfortunately, yes. Even first-time offenders can face jail time—especially in felony cases or where prosecutors allege alcohol, drugs, or domestic violence. However, with the right legal strategy, many first-time cases can be resolved without incarceration. Our goal is to protect your record, your freedom, and your family.
"*" indicates required fields
190+
Google Reviews
Our appearances in the media.
PRACTICE AREAS
Down Town Office
Chula Vista Office
- San Diego
- Chula Vista
- Carlsbad
- Coronado
- Del Mar
- El Cajon
- Encinitas
- Escondido
- Imperial Beach
- La Mesa
- Lemon Grove
- National City
- Oceanside
- Poway
- San Marcos
- Santee
- Solana Beach
- Vista
