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Elder Abuse on the Rise

By Neil Shous, Esq.

Elder abuse has become a growing concern in California. Broadly defined in California?s Welfare and Institution Code and in Penal Code 368 PC, ?elder abuse? is any abuse, whether it?s physical, emotional, financial?and whether it?s inflicted by a family member, a private caregiver, or an institution such as a nursing home or other residential treatment center?directed at an individual who is 65 or older. As recently as last year, nationwide studies suggest that three to five million seniors have experienced abuse but that only one in five cases are reported. It?s these kinds of statistics that have prompted many California local law enforcement agencies to target elder abusers and to prosecute elder abuse cases swiftly and aggressively. The political pressure to curb this growing trend means that cops and prosecutors may be overzealous when it comes to making arrests and pressing charges under California?s elder abuse law?which unfortunately means that the number of false accusations and wrongful arrests rise as well...continue to full post

Full post as published by California Criminal Defense Blog on January 18, 2010 (boomark / email).