A New Jersey man is facing severe criminal charges after he allegedly killed his girlfriend with a machete. Alex Williams, 25, is charged with taking the life of a 29-year-old female in Wall Township after he suspected her of cheating on him. To make matters worse, his girlfriend's young son was present at the scene of the crime. His charges include first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

If two people commit the same crime in New Jersey, one of them can face much harsher penalties and additional charges if a minor child is present at the scene. The Lento Law Firm believes that everyone accused of a crime deserves a robust criminal defense, and our Criminal Law Team can help if your charges were upgraded due to child endangerment. Call today at 888-535-3686 or contact us through our website to get started on your criminal defense.

Concerns About Displaying Violence in Front of Children

New Jersey's child endangerment statutes criminalize behaviors likely to impair or debauch the morals of the child or harm the child's physical or mental well-being. While it is common to see these statutes applied in sexual abuse cases, it also applies if someone directly exposes a child to violent acts through their presence at a crime scene.

New Jersey is not unique in imposing stricter penalties for crimes committed in the presence of children. The purpose of these extra penalties is to protect children from the psychological trauma associated with witnessing violence by discouraging potential criminal acts. They also reflect society's higher expectation that adults should behave responsibly around minors, regardless of the situation. Anyone with criminal charges in New Jersey will have a more challenging time clearing their name when this heightened sense of responsibility toward children is present.

Defenses To Child Endangerment Charges

In court, the details matter—particularly the defendant's awareness of the child's presence at the crime scene. If Williams was unaware of the young boy's presence, his defense team might argue a lack of intent to commit child endangerment. As first responders arrived and treated the injured woman, Williams continued to focus on his girlfriend's alleged infidelity, signaling he may have been hyper-fixated on that detail. However, this state of mind does not entirely absolve him of his responsibility of protecting children from general harm.

The prosecution must then establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Williams was aware of the child's presence and chose to commit the act regardless. Courts may dismiss those charges if there is no reason to believe Williams saw or made contact with the child before attacking his girlfriend.

The Lento Law Firm Can Craft A Solid Defense For Your Criminal Case

If you have potential avenues for a defense that can dismiss criminal charges altogether, you should pursue them. After hearing about your case, the Lento Law Firm Criminal Law Team can inform you of your best legal options and help you beat any child endangerment charges you face. Call today at 888-535-3686 or provide case details through our website to begin building your defense.