Mecklenburg County Vulnerable Adult Abuse Lawyer
Mecklenburg County considers adults who have limited abilities, including possible intellectual disabilities or certain elderly people to be vulnerable adults. An individual who has been charged with abusing a vulnerable adult could be facing significant penalties and long-term repercussions. If you have been arrested, you should reach out to a Mecklenburg County vulnerable adult abuse lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced domestic violence attorney could advocate for you and help you receive a favorable outcome.
What is The Prosecution’s Burden of Proof for Vulnerable Adult Abuse?
To prove that a person should be convicted of criminal use of a vulnerable adult, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused engaged in the alleged conduct and that the adult in question was indeed vulnerable as defined by the Code of Virginia. If the prosecution is unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant engaged in criminal conduct against a vulnerable adult, a conviction will not take place. The prosecution takes these cases seriously, which is why a defendant should obtain a vulnerable adult abuse lawyer in Mecklenburg County immediately.
Common Examples of Vulnerable Adult Abuse
Abuse of a vulnerable adult could include not providing appropriate care for the person, including:
- Feeding
- Cleaning
- Bathing
- Taking advantage of the vulnerable adult
It could include financial abuse or manipulation of the vulnerable adult’s finances. Also another common example is physical violence against them when the vulnerable adult is not able to defend themselves or properly communicate to authorities what is happening to them.
How is Vulnerable Adult Abuse Penalized in Virginia?
Most often, someone accused of abuse of a vulnerable adult will face misdemeanor charges that could include up to 12 months in jail. Under certain circumstances, such as causing a serious injury or certain financial crimes, the accused could face years in prison if the charges are brought as felonies. A conviction could also include expensive fines, probation, and other long-term repercussions. For instance, a convicted individual may have trouble securing employment. A Mecklenburg County vulnerable adult abuse attorney could help mitigate these penalties or have the charges dropped.
Building a Vulnerable Adult Abuse Defense
There are several potential defenses against charges of domestic violence involving a vulnerable adult. Each case will have a different set of circumstances that could determine which defense is appropriate. It is imperative that a defendant contacts an accomplished criminal lawyer as soon as possible to determine which argument is best for the crime charged. After looking at the evidence and the facts of the case, an attorney will determine which defense strategies will be most effective.
Call a Mecklenburg County Vulnerable Adult Abuse Attorney
If you have been charged with abusing a vulnerable adult, you should reach out to a dedicated lawyer as soon as possible. A Mecklenburg County vulnerable adult abuse lawyer could fight for you and protect your rights. A vulnerable adult abuse charge can lead to jail time and other penalties. Therefore, it is critical for you to obtain an attorney right away. The sooner a lawyer is hired, the sooner they could begin working on your case.
Do not send us confidential information related to you or your company until you speak with one of our attorneys and get authorization to send that information to us.