Elder abuse is a serious crime. Most people think that the elderly should be well cared for in their golden years, and someone who is seen as taking advantage of them is unlikely to engender much sympathy. If you are being accused of elder abuse, you need to be ready to defend yourself because the penalties for a conviction are severe. You should talk to a Blue Bell criminal defense lawyer from our firm as soon as you can.
When Can Someone Be Charged With Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse can come in many forms. People can be charged with elder abuse if they are accused of:
- Physical abuse of an older person
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect or abandonment
You can also be accused of elder abuse if it looks like you manipulated someone into giving you some kind of power over them. A good example of this would be if an older person suddenly decided to give their power of attorney to you, allowing you to make important decisions on their behalf, even when they have relatives and loved ones who would obviously be better candidates to hold that power.
Can Someone Go to Jail For Elder Abuse?
You can be sentenced to prison for all types of elder abuse. Even a misdemeanor conviction can mean up to five years in prison. A felony conviction can mean up to 20 years in prison. Then there are the fines. You could end up owing $10,000 to $25,000 if found guilty. If you are being accused of these kinds of crimes, you absolutely need to have a strategy for fighting back.
Is Financial Abuse Elder Abuse?
Yes, financial abuse is elder abuse too. Just because someone doesn’t get physically hurt, that does not mean that they weren’t exploited or harmed. Generally, the amount stolen is going to determine what kind of charge a person faces. You could face:
- A third degree felony if the amount exceeds $2,000 but is less than $100,000
- A second degree felony when the amount is more than $100,000 but less than $500,000
- A first degree felony when at least $500,000 is involved
Being convicted of crimes like these often leads to prison sentences of 10 to 20 years.
How Can I Defend Myself Against These Charges?
It can be difficult to defend yourself from such charges, but there are some ways to push back on these allegations. You may be able to argue that there was no intent to cause harm or that no abuse happened in the same place. It may also be possible to argue that an elderly person was actually in sound mind when they gave you a gift or some power over their finances.
Talk to an Attorney Today
If you are facing misdemeanor or felony elder abuse charges, you must take them seriously. Contact Mudrick & Zucker to schedule a consultation with our team. Once we hear about the specific circumstances of your case, we can start working with you to find the most effective defense.
