Contact Our Camden Law Firm To Speak To A Former County Prosecutor Or Another Talented Criminal Lawyer About Your Sexual Contact Offense
Touching the intimate parts of another person without their consent results in a fourth degree crime for criminal sexual contact under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3. If the victim falls within one of six categories set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a, the offense escalates to a third degree crime for aggravated criminal sexual contact. If you were charged with either violation in Camden County, you are facing a felony that can land you in prison for a significant period. Selecting the right criminal attorney to defend you at the Superior Court is crucial to ensuring that you maintain your liberty and avoid other serious penalties.
Our firm, Marshall Criminal Defense, has unique credentials to help you avoiding a negative outcome if you were arrested for criminal sexual contact or aggravated criminal sexual contact. We can offer you:
- Over 200 years of combined experience handling sex crimes in Camden County
- A team of 10 lawyers that handle nothing other than defense of the accused
- Former prosecutors who have gained invaluable skills serving as Director of Major Crime, the Drugs Task Force, Juvenile Unit and even an entire trial division
- Certified criminal trial attorneys on staff
- Offices located in the City of Camden and Cherry Hill to conveniently serve you
- A long history of success defending charges arising Gloucester Township, Voorhees, Pennsauken, Collingswood, Winslow and throughout Camden County
A criminal conviction, particularly one involving a sex crime, has the potential to have a devastating impact on your future. A savvy defense lawyer can make all the difference for someone charged with a Camden criminal sexual contact offense. To obtain a free consultation with an attorney at our firm, call our Camden Office at 856.288.3350.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, 121 Market Street, Suite 201, Camden NJ 08102, defends criminal sexual contact and aggravated criminal sexual contact charges throughout Camden County, including clients arrested in Camden, Winslow, Collingswood, Gloucester Township, Voorhees, Pennsauken, Lindenwold, Gloucester City, Cherry Hill, Berlin, Stratford, Bellmawr and other local municipalities.
How Is Sexual Contact Defined?
The term “sexual contact” is defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1d as:
[I]ntentional touching by the victim or actor, either directly or through clothing, of the victim’s or actor’s intimate parts for the purpose of degrading or humiliating the victim or sexually arousing or sexually gratifying the actor.
“Intimate parts” means sexual organs, genitals, anus, inner thigh, groin, buttock or breasts.
When Is Criminal Sexual Contact Aggravated?
A sexual contact charge is aggravated if the victim falls under subsection (a)(2) through (a)(7) of 2C:14-2 as follows:
(2) The victim is at least 13 but less than 16 years old; and
(a) The actor is related to the victim by blood or affinity to the third degree, or
(b) The actor has supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the actor’s legal, professional, or occupational status, or
(c) The actor is a resource family parent, a guardian, or stands in loco parentis within the household;
(3) The act is committed during the commission, or attempted commission, whether alone or with one or more other persons, of robbery, kidnapping, homicide, aggravated assault on another, burglary, arson or criminal escape;
(4) The actor is armed with a weapon or any object fashioned in such a manner as to lead the victim to reasonably believe it to be a weapon and threatens by word or gesture to use the weapon or object;
(5) The actor is aided or abetted by one or more other persons and the actor uses physical force or coercion;
(6) The actor uses physical force or coercion and severe personal injury is sustained by the victim;
(7) The victim is one whom the actor knew or should have known was physically helpless or incapacitated, intellectually or mentally incapacitated, or had a mental disease or defect which rendered the victim temporarily or permanently incapable of understanding the nature of his conduct, including, but not limited to, being incapable of providing consent.
Can Sexual Contact Result In A Charge For Sexual Assault?
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2b, sexual contact with someone who is under 13 years of age is second degree sexual assault. The penalties for having sexual contact with someone under 13 include 5-10 years in state prison, a fine of up to $150,000, registration as a sexual offender under Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life (“PSL”).
How Are Sexual Contact Offenses Graded Under 2C:14-3?
Criminal sexual contact is a fourth degree crime as compared to aggravated criminal sexual contact which is a third degree crime.
What Are The Penalties for Criminal Sexual Contact & Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact?
Fourth degree criminal sexual contact carries up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000. Third degree aggravated criminal sexual contact results in up to 5 years of imprisonment and a $15,000 fine. In addition, an individual is subject to the registration requirements under Megan’s Law if the sexual contact is with a minor.
Camden Criminal Sexual Lawyer
Getting proper legal advice is clearly crucial for anyone facing a criminal charge as serious as aggravated criminal sexual contact or even criminal sexual contact in Camden County. The team of attorneys Marshall Criminal Defense is prepared to provide an in depth consultation to discuss your options for avoiding a conviction. To reach an attorney anytime 24/7, call (856) 288-3350.
