Middlesex County NJ Criminal Sexual Contact Lawyer
A sex offense that is fairly common in Middlesex County is criminal sexual contact. The charge arises in an assortment of settings although there is only one place where it can be dealt with, namely, the Middlesex County Superior Court. This is because criminal sexual contact is always a fourth degree crime which falls outside municipal court jurisdiction in Edison, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, Old Bridge, Woodbridge or another town. Our team of criminal attorneys has the skills necessary to secure the favorable outcome you need. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is the largest defense firm in the region and employees several form prosecutors including one lawyer who served as a supervisor in the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. To speak to an attorney immediately about your criminal sexual contact charge, contact our Woodbridge office at 732-751-4458.
Elements of Offense. The first element that must be established by the state to convict someone of criminal sexual contact is proving that the defendant engaged in sexual contact with the victim. “Sexual contact” is defined as the intentional touching, 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, genital area, anal area, inner thigh, groin, buttock or breasts. The prosecutor must also establish that the sexual contact took place under one of the following circumstances: (1) the actor used physical force or coercion which did not result in severe personal injury; (2) the victim was on probation or parole, or was detained in a hospital, prison or other institution and the actor had supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim; (3) the victim was at least 16 but less than 18 years old and was either related to the victim by blood or affinity to the third degree, the actor had supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim or the actor was a resource family parent, a guardian, or stood in loco parentis within the household; or (4) the victim was at least 13 but less than 16 years old and the actor was at least four years older than the victim.
Penalties. An individual convicted of the fourth degree crime of criminal sexual contact faces up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of $10,000. Additional financial assessments also apply including a $100 surcharge and a $500 Sex Crime Victim Treatment Fund penalty. Compliance with Megan’s Law is not triggered.
Statute of Limitations. The statute of limitation is five years except when the victim is a minor in which case prosecution must be instituted within five years of him/her turning eighteen.
New Brunswick NJ Criminal Sexual Contact Defense Attorneys
If you were charged with criminal sexual contact in Middlesex County, you will need to retain attorneys who are experienced in defending violations in New Brunswick NJ at the Superior Court. The lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall definitely possess this level of expertise with over 100 years between us in defending individuals charged with criminal sexual contact in New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Old Bridge, South Brunswick and other locations. To speak to an attorney on our staff anytime 24/7, contact our New Brunswick office at 732-246-7126. There is no need to hesitate in calling us because initial consultations are free of charge.
