International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEA) Criminal Law Practice Exam

The most fitting charge against Jordan for his drug use in the presence of his child is child endangerment. This legal concept encompasses situations where a caregiver's actions or omissions create a risk of harm to a minor. When a parent or guardian engages in drug use, especially in the vicinity of their child, it can substantially compromise the child’s safety and well-being.

In many jurisdictions, child endangerment laws are designed to protect children from environments where they could be exposed to dangerous or harmful behavior, such as drug use. This presents a direct threat not only to the immediate physical safety of the child but also potentially affects emotional and psychological health.

The other charges, while relevant in different contexts, do not fully encapsulate the specific risks associated with drug use around children. Possession of a controlled substance pertains strictly to the legality of the drug itself, neglect of a dependent generally implies failure to provide necessary care or supervision, and assault involves intentionally causing harm to another person, which does not directly relate to the drug usage scenario described. Thus, child endangerment is the charge that effectively addresses the situation where a parent's drug use poses a risk to the child's safety.