California Penal Code Section 273D
by
Randy Collins on Feb. 24, 2012
Summary: Child Abuse is when anyone deliberately causes a child to suffer physically. Child abuse is similar to corporal injury under California penal code 273.5 - only this time, it’s carried out on a child.
Definition
Child Abuse under California Penal Code Section 273 D, is a criminal offense and it is normally filed as a felony. Child Abuse is when anyone deliberately causes a child to suffer physically. Child abuse is similar to corporal injury under California penal code 273.5 - only this time, it’s carried out on a child.
Definition of a Child:
Anyone under the age of eighteen years old.
Examples
Some common illustrations of Child Abuse is when a legal guardian beats a child excessively to the point of bruises. Other examples include shaking a child, punching a child or choking a child. These examples are however limited, a there are numerous other instances of child abuse under CPC 273D.
Elements of the Crime
In order to take a Child Abuse CPC 273 D case to trial, certain elements of the crime will have to be proven. These include:
· That the defendant inflicted physical injury
· That the defendant deliberately imposed this physical injury
· It upset or traumatized the child
Punishments for CPC 273 D
These penalties are to be determined by a judge and he/she will make a decision based on the circumstances surrounding the case, the severity of injuries, and also an individual’s criminal history.
When found guilty of Child Abuse, it is usually filed as a felony, which is punishable by two, three or four years in prison, up to six thousand dollars in fines, up to three years of informal probation, an order of protection and the guilty party may also need to attend counseling.
Legal Defenses for California Penal Code 273 D
A good lawyer can present many legal and valid defenses for Child Abuse charges under California Penal Code 273 D to prove someone’s innocence. MacGregor and Collins is based in Orange County, California, and has successfully defended those who were falsely accused of Child Abuse . Call (949) 250-6097 to speak to a lawyer, should you be on trial for Child Abuse .
Learn more about other California Section Penal Codes here.