Any parent driving with a small child in the back seat has wondered, and often been concerned about the safety of their child and comfort while they are strapped in to a car seat.
For parents worried about car seat safety, it is a legitimate concern and serious enough to lead to criminal charges if a child is not secured properly in a car seat while one is operating a motor vehicle.
In the United States, child abuse is defined as any type of cruelty inflicted on a child and includes psychological abuse, physical harm, sexual abuse, abandonment, and sexual exploitation. A person accused of child abuse may face a range of possible penalties and sanctions depending on several factors, including: 1) The law of the state where the abuse occurred, 2) The age of the child, 3) The offender’s criminal record, 4) Whether the offense involved sexual abuse and/or 5) Whether the child suffered physical harm or emotional abuse.
In most states, if a child is injured due to a parent or guardians ability to properly restrain a child in a car seat while driving, the prosecutors will typically evaluate evidence such as video, witnesses statements, medical reports, and the parents criminal record. If extreme negligence is confirmed because the child was unrestrained, it is very likely that formal charges will be filed.
Therefore, it is always better to be safe than sorry, and always ensure that a child who is required to be in a car seat under the respective laws of the state, is securely restrained in a car seat, any time a parent is operating a motor vehicle with children in the vehicle.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a DUI/ Physical Control allegation, immediately contact a Seattle DUI Attorney. A Seattle DUI Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle DUI Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their DUI charge, and some times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a DUI should hire a qualified Seattle DUI Lawyer as soon as possible. DUI charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a DUI in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle DUI Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
