When you need a child abuse defense attorney in Wisconsin, you want to make sure that you hire violent crime lawyers who know the law and know how to present the best possible child abuse defense for you.  At Birdsall Obear & Associates, we’ve gained credibility and respect defending the rights of thousands of clients. Our success as Wisconsin's top violent crime defense lawyers speaks for itself, with an acquittal rate three times higher than the state average and four times the national average!

Violent crimes involve the use of force (with or without a weapon) to inflict harm on another person. In many cases, the people involved in these types of crimes have a personal relationship and therefore the crimes are considered Domestic Violence.

There are often family considerations and emotional issues in domestic violence cases in addition to a criminal charge. Because of the sensitivity of these types of crimes, it is critical that you seek help from a trusted and reputable child abuse defense lawyer.

Our experienced child abuse defense lawyers at Birdsall Obear & Associates have handled hundreds of domestic violence cases. Please contact our violent crimes attorneys by email or phone to schedule a free consultation.

Wisconsin laws protect a parent’s right to discipline their children, even to spank them. The crime of physical abuse to a child exceeds what would reasonably be expected as a means of discipline. The key term in that statement is “reasonably” and the key issue is what constitutes “reasonableness” before the line of abuse is crossed. Whether the allegations cite scalding water or a fall down the stairs, there are always those people who will assume evil intentions. The result of those assumptions is often a criminal charge.

The State must prove three elements:

1. that the defendant caused a great bodily harm to the victim,
2. that the defendant recklessly or intentionally caused such harm, and
3. that the victim had not attained the age of 18 years at the time of the alleged offense.

Great Bodily Harm: is harm that substantially creates the risk of a death, permanent or prolonged loss or dysfunctional use of a limb or organ, permanent serious disfigurement, or some other very serious bodily injury.

Intentional Harm: can be charged as “intentionally” causing harm or “recklessly” causing harm. “Intentional” harm has 3 levels of severity: great bodily harm, bodily harm, or conduct creating substantial risk of great bodily harm.

Reckless Harm: if the charge is “reckless,” the same three levels apply as intentional harm, but the penalties are somewhat lower. “Recklessness” requires that the defendant’s conduct created a situation of “unreasonable risk of harm” to the victim, and that the defendant demonstrated a “conscious disregard” for the safety of the victim.

A common defense for this type of charge is that parents, who are often the accused of this crime, have the right to “reasonably” discipline their children. The core issue usually comes down to determining what constitutes “reasonableness.” Another common defense is that the abuse was an accident or mistake.

Wisconsin penalties for Physical Abuse of a Child

• Intentional Physical Abuse Of A Child
  
  • Great bodily harm: 10 years prison (Maximum)
  • Bodily harm by conduct which creates a high probability of great
  • Bodily harm: 7 years (Maximum)
  • Bodily harm: 3 years prison (Maximum)
• Reckless Physical Abuse Of A Child
  
  • Great bodily harm: 5 years prison (Maximum)
  • Bodily harm by conduct which creates a high probability of great
  • Bodily harm: 3 years (Maximum)
  • Bodily harm: 18 months prison (Maximum)

Contact the best Milwaukee and Sheboygan child abuse defense lawyers.

Call Birdsall Obear & Associates.

Attorneys John A. Birdsall and Kirk B. Obear are Milwaukee criminal attorneys who have won countless cases over the past decades. Their aggressive defense strategy is unsurpassed and has placed them among the best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Milwaukee.

Physical abuse of a child charges many times carry special circumstances that only the Milwaukee criminal lawyers of Birdsall Obear & Associates will know how to confront, confidently and efficiently... and win your case.

Our child abuse defense lawyers in Sheboygan and Milwaukee know how to confront and challenge illegal police action, whether it's improper search technique or other violations, if we find that your constitutional rights were violated, your case could be dismissed.

Our law office is simply the best child abuse defense law firm Wisconsin has to offer. Contact our Milwaukee Criminal Attorneys at Birdsall Obear & Associates.