What are the factors or elements for 273(d) PC Child Abuse?

Under California Penal Code 273(d) PC, child abuse is the act of physically injuring or imposing cruel physical punishment on a child.

Although California criminal law-including Penal Code 273a PC, California’s child endangerment law and Penal Code 270 PC, California’s child neglect law -also punishes neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse of a child . . . Penal Code 273d PC-California’s child abuse statute-and this article deal specifically with physical abuse directed at a minor.

  • Slapping a child hard enough to leave a mark,
  • Engaging in a physical fight with a teenager and leaving bruises on him/her, and
  • Beating a child with a belt to discipline him/her.
  • As a domestic violence crime, California child abuse is subject to harsh penalties…and is an offense on which local prosecutors like to “get tough.”

A child abuse conviction can destroy your reputation, family, career, and freedom. And it is all too easy for one moment of weakness in a parent…or a family or domestic conflict that has nothing to do with abuse…to lead to unfair or downright false allegations of child abuse.

California Penal Code 273(d) PC Child Abuse

Legal Consequences:

Penal Code 273d PC is a “wobbler”. This means that depending on the facts of your specific case, and your criminal history, it may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.The maximum jail sentence for misdemeanor child abuse is one (1) year. But for felony child abuse, it is two (2), four (4) or six (6) years…or even more if you have a prior conviction for this offense.

How can we defend you against charges of California Penal Code 273(d) PC Child Abuse?

There are several helpful legal defenses that could lead to charges being dismissed or reduced. These include:

  • The allegations are false,
  • The child’s injuries were caused by something other than abuse,
  • You were acting within your right to discipline your child, and/or
  • You did not injure the child on purpose.

Contact us:

We have been successfully defending clients facing all types of criminal charges in Sonoma and Marin Counties, since 1992.

The 100 Trial Lawyers Association has recognized us as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in the country!

Please call our office today at (707) 571-8600 in our centrally located Santa Rosa office in Sonoma County or call our office in San Rafael in Marin County at (415) 492-4507 to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation.

Don’t bargain with your freedom! The right attorney makes all the difference between your freedom and incarceration!