Michigan Child Abuse

 Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of a child is considered a serious crime under Michigan child abuse laws. Additionally, most states have what are known as mandatory reporter laws, which require certain professionals  with regular access to children to report signs of abuse to the proper authorities. 

Child abuse happen quite often. Particularly in high-conflict custody battles, tempers can escalate quickly and both parties are bound to feel the strain. In some situations, one parent may be tempted to believe that accusing the other parent of child abuse will increase their own chances of winning child custody. But it's a flawed strategy.

In cases of alleged abuse, the judge will thoroughly investigate each claim before awarding custody or visitation. This often leads to time-consuming and expensive examinations by medical and mental health experts, which can be especially burdensome for children. 

Jail or prison sentences are very common with child abuse convictions. A misdemeanor conviction may bring a few days, months, or up to a year in jail, while felony convictions can easily result in sentences of 10 years or more in prison. Probation. Probation sentences are often included with child abuse sentences.

As with the various forms of child abuse, there is also a spectrum of penalties for child abuse crimes which will depend on the specific facts of your case. That's why it's so important to enlist the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney near you if you're facing allegations of child abuse.