Florida Reckless Endangerment Laws
- Children should be protected but never endangered.Golfing Toddler image by Vanessa van Rensburg from Fotolia.com
The most vulnerable in society should be protected but never endangered. This group includes children, the developmentally disabled, or the elderly. Unfortunately, harm does come to them, either intentionally or inadvertently. In Florida, there is no one specific crime called "reckless endangerment," however laws do exist that address child neglect and culpable negligence, both which are crimes. - Child neglect is defined as a caregiver not making a reasonable effort to protect a child from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The level of the punishment is fitted to the level of the crime, evaluated by the Florida court system. For example if great bodily harm is caused by the negligence, the crime is classified as a second-degree felony, while if great bodily harm is not caused the crime is classified as a third-degree felony.
- Culpable negligence is defined as exposing another person (adult or child) to personal injury. If this crime has been committed, it is a misdemeanor of the second degree. If a person inflicts actual personal injury on another person, it is a culpable negligence misdemeanor of the first degree.
- If a child injures or kills himself or others with a loaded firearm, it is a crime. The adult responsible for the securing the firearm is guilty of culpable negligence with a firearm, and will be charged with a third-degree felony.
