Child abuse allegations by their very nature are among the most serious crimes a person can be accused of committing. The stigma of even an accusation of child abuse can permanently alter a person's personal and professional life.

I have extensive experience with these types of cases. Formerly, while at the Pinellas County State Attorneys Office, I was in the Major Crime Division and handled many high profile child abuse cases. These cases included homicide, child abduction, capital sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation, and other child abuse offenses committed by teachers, police officers, priests, ministers and youth organization leaders. I have had extensive experience dealing with the media on these cases.

These types of cases require a thorough investigation, a complete understanding of the law enforcement investigative process, and an extensive knowledge of other agencies that assist law enforcement in making their cases.

To be effective in handling these types of cases, the attorney must  understand the inner workings of Help a Child. Inc., (formerly C.P.T.), the Department of Children and Families, (D.C.F.) and the Child Protective Investigation Division of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, (C.P.I.D).

Formerly, while working for the Pinellas County State Attorneys Office, I developed the manual currently used by prosecutors handling crimes against children, worked closely with C.P.T., D.C.F., and C.P.I.D., and provided training to detectives and prosecutors who are still handling these types of cases.  I personally handled many child homicide cases from investigation through trial.

The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger, P.A., can defend these cases through early resolution and trial when necessary. My practice includes representing clients accused of:

• Sexual Battery
• Shaken Baby
• Child Homicide
• Aggravated child abuse
• Culpable negligence
• Lewd Assault
• Sex offenses involving children
• Date rape
• Internet sex/child pornography