Elder Abuse, Child Abuse

Our office has defended clients charged with both elder abuse and child abuse throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. These cases often arise out of domestic incidents. We have successfully defended persons charged with elder abuse or child abuse involving their parents or children. In San Francisco County, early investigation and intervention in a case led to an early discharge of a case where our client was accused of elder abuse due to an in-home altercation with an elderly relative. In San Mateo County we won the dismissal of all charges in a child abuse matter for a client who had been arrested for slapping her son while trying to discipline him. In many cases, elder abuse or child abuse accusations can lead to you being prohibited from returning home while the case is pending, as the prosecution will seek a criminal protective order barring you from having any contact with the accuser. These matters are serious and can have catastrophic collateral consequences on your ability to work and your housing. These matters may also have severe licensing consequences if you hold a professional license.

Elder abuse and child abuse matters are aggressively prosecuted. These types of accusations can carry significant penalties. These matters often require a thorough investigation. For cases involving accusations of child abuse, Child Protective Services will usually be involved. If the matter involves allegations of elder abuse, Adult Protective Services may be involved. Navigating these types of cases can be challenging and difficult.

Our office has many years of experience defending these types of cases. Both in private practice and while working as a deputy public defender, Mr. Sullivan has helped clients navigate these difficult cases successfully. During his time as a deputy public defender, Mr. Sullivan regularly handled cases involving accusations of child abuse. Sometimes these accusations were made against his client by an angry spouse, seeking to obtain an advantage in pending family law litigation. Through investigation and litigation, many of these cases were resolved favorably. Sometimes experts must be hired, like in the biomechanics of injury, to examine the allegations against you.

If your case is one where you may have committed the offense, we can assist you into getting into mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, parenting classes, or anger management classes.

Elder abuse or child abuse can carry county jail or prison exposure, depending on seriousness of the crime. In some cases, elder abuse charges can be alleged against a client, even when the client was not the aggressor. In San Francisco County, our office successfully defended a client facing elder abuse charges after he was attacked by his roommate. Even though his roommate instigated the altercation and attacked our client, he was facing charges of elder abuse. After an intensive and extensive investigation, our office was able to present substantial evidence of misconduct directed at our client by the roommate, and this case was discharged.

All cases are different, and results obtained in a prior case are not a promise of a result in your case. If you are facing elder abuse or child abuse accusations, please call our office today for a free initial consultation.