A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to numerous charges related to a period between June 2017 and February 2018, when he groped several different school-aged children in Trenton. The charges were six counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. As part of his guilty plea, the man will serve five years in a New Jersey state prison and undergo an evaluation at the state Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center. He will have parole supervision for life, and will have to register as a sex offender.
Sex Crimes in New Jersey
The types of sex crimes in New Jersey range in severity from first degree aggravated sexual assault down to harassment by offensive touching. Regardless of the severity of the charge, being convicted of a sex crime can be life altering. Individuals convicted of sex crimes in New Jersey face serious punishment:
- Prison sentence. Individuals convicted of first degree aggravated sexual assault face the possibility of a prison sentence lasting up to a maximum of twenty years in prison, or a fine of $250,000. Individuals convicted of sexual assault, which is a second-degree offense in New Jersey, face five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Both of these are hefty fines and jail terms, but are not the end of the punishments for sex crimes in New Jersey.
- Supervised Parole for Life. Another punishment faced by those charged with sex crimes is the possibility of supervised parole for life. Generally speaking, supervised parole requires the individual to report in to his or her parole officer regularly - normally once per month, to provide regular updates on the individual’s status, and to ensure compliance with any other court-order procedures such as drug and alcohol tests. However, parole is also usually time-limited, meaning that it ends at some specified point. Supervised parole for life is exactly what it says: for the rest of the individual’s life, they are required to regularly report to a parole officer.
- Registering as Sex Offender. Sex offender registries have become common across the United States, as they provide a central location for the public to seek information on the status of an individual whom they believe to be a sex offender. They can be used by the public to determine whether a registered sex offender lives close to them or would live close in a proposed new home, for example. It also provides a location for employers to inquire regarding the background of a prospective new employee. In New Jersey, with just a few limited exceptions, anyone convicted of a sex crime must register as a sex offender and be added to the online registry. The registry and its requirements are referred to as “Megan’s Law”.
Contact an Experienced Hamilton Township Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Sex Crime Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged with sex crimes in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at The Davis Law Firm, LLC have successfully represented clients charged with sex crimes in Princeton, Windsor, Hamilton Trenton, and throughout New Jersey. Call 609-587-9100 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 2653 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619.The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
