NJ Teacher Pleads Guilty to Giving Students Alcohol and Marijuana
A 27-year-old high school science teacher could face up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to giving students alcohol and marijuana. According to The Daily Record, the alleged incidents occurred between December 2009 and June 30, 2010 when the man was a teacher in Berkeley Heights. On October 18, he pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of four students. The teacher was facing potentially harsher penalties for official misconduct before he pleaded guilty to child endangerment charges. He was suspended from his job following his arrest and also had to forfeit his teaching certificate. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 3.
New Jersey Criminal Code 2C:24-4 states, "Any person having a legal duty for the care of a child or who has assumed responsibility for the care of a child who engages in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child, or who causes the child harm that would make the child an abused or neglected child," is guilty of a crime.
An individual may be charged with child endangerment if he or she puts a child in harm's way or if they fail to protect a child who may be in danger. This type of offense must involve a parent or someone with authority over the child such as a teacher or coach. The harsh penalties for child endangerment can add up very quickly if multiple children are involved or the incidents occurred repeatedly.
The Princeton criminal defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have years of experience handling child endangerment cases in New Jersey. If you or a loved one is facing these serious charges, please contact our skilled criminal defense lawyers at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
