How Does Recklessness Endanger a Child?
Child endangerment cases are some of the most complex cases in Arizona because they require police officers, prosecutors, and juries to use their sense of judgment when making decisions. As opposed to other criminal allegations, such as the possession of drugs, there is no clear definition of what it means to place another person into harm. Instead, the statute merely provides that it is illegal to “recklessly endanger” another person. As a result, it is vitally important to understand what the concept of recklessness means.
In general, a person is reckless when they act without regard for the well-being of themselves or others. This may involve violating a separate law that exists to protect the general public in some situations. For example, people who face an arrest for drunk driving may face an endangerment charge if a child is in the vehicle.
However, an arrest may also result from leaving a child unsupervised, failing to report child abuse, or being drunk or high while watching a kid. Some of these behaviors would not be illegal if a person did them while on their own. Instead, it is the fact that they were in a position to watch a child that makes it illegal. A child endangerment lawyer could provide more information about the idea of recklessness and how it may result in criminal prosecution in Gilbert.
