The number of rapes reported in Mercer County NJ has gone up considerably in the last few years, according to data compiled by law enforcement and detailed in the Uniform Crime Report (UCR). The UCR is released annually by the Department of Law and Public Safety and provides valuable statistics on violent crimes in Mercer County and elsewhere in New Jersey. The most recent UCR includes crime stats from 2015. The 2015 data indicates that the total number of sexual assaults in Mercer County rose by 124 percent over the previous year. In 2014, there were 41 rapes reported to law enforcement in Mercer County, NJ. In 2015, the number of reported rapes went all the way up to 92. This was noticeably higher than the uptick in reported rapes statewide: the total number of sex crimes in New Jersey rose by 43 percent from 2014 to 2015. Although local police departments in Mercer County have been undertaking efforts to crack down on sex offenders in recent years, there is a belief among some law enforcement officials with the NJ Office of the Attorney General that the main reason for the sharp rise in the number of sexual assaults reported in 2015 is a clarification issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI uses certain criteria to determine whether a reported sexual offense constitutes rape. Prior to 2015, the FBI changed the criteria to more broadly define “rape.” A sex crime can now be classified as a rape or sexual assault regardless of the gender of the victim and regardless of the gender of the alleged offender. Moreover, the revised definition of “rape” is inclusive of sexual offenses that involve a victim who became incapacitated due to use of alcohol or drugs, which means that date rapes are now clearly included in the definition. If you were arrested and charged with rape, sexual assault, or any other sex crime in Mercer County, NJ, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. The experienced, aggressive criminal defense attorneys at the Davis Law Firm, LLC can help you fight your charges and avoid the most severe penalties. Contact us now to schedule a consultation and to discuss your legal options.
