Archive

Archive for July 10th, 2009

West Virginia Criminalizes False Child Abuse Allegations

July 10th, 2009 9 comments

In 2008, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin signed into law House Bill 3065 that permits prosecutors to pursue misdemeanor criminal charges against people filing false child abuse reports. It also allows the victims of false child abuse reports to file for civil damages, even if criminal prosecution has not been pursued. Although the law is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough.

Criminal Penalties

As a misdemeanor crime, the criminal penalties are rather weak, but are better than nothing. Perhaps they may be enough to keep a few malicious parents from making false accusations of child abuse during child custody battles.
Read more…