Sexual Assault & Other Sex Crimes in the City of Linden
Have you been charged with a sex offense in Linden such as sexual assault, criminal sexual contact or endangering the welfare of a child? A sex offense charge can be devastating to your life and reputation because of the stigma attached to this type of charge, let alone the criminal penalties that may result. If you were arrested for aggravated sexual assault or another sex crime in the City of Linden, your first priority should be to get an experienced criminal sex offense attorney to defend your rights. You can find such defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. With years of experience handling sex offense cases, the attorneys on our team, including several former prosecutors, will give you important advice and devise a case strategy to challenge every aspect of the prosecutor’s case against you. An attorney on our staff is prepared to provide a free initial consultation if you contact our firm at 908-272-1700. Given us a call to receive the knowledge guidance of a defense lawyer immediately.
Sex Offense in Linden New Jersey
Sex offenses in New Jersey, as elsewhere, cover all types of unlawful sexual conduct. The range of behavior covered includes aggressive sexual assault, such as rape; to prostitution, which is selling sexual services for money. Of course, the most serious sexual offenses, and the ones that carry the most severe penalties, are offenses involving children or when physical injury is involved.
Are sex offenses felonies or misdemeanors? A charge in Linden that is a first degree, second degree, third degree or fourth degree crime such as aggravated sex assault or sexual assault is a felony that can only be dealt with at the Union County Superior Court in Elizabeth. There are other sex based charges like lewdness and some prostitution related offenses which are disorderly persons offenses (commonly known as misdemeanors). Disorderly persons offenses are the equivalent to a misdemeanor and are handled in Linden Municipal Court. A prosecutor typically makes the decision on whether a charge is indictable or not. So, if you are able to get an experienced sex offense attorney early in the process, your attorney may be able to engage with the prosecutor at the beginning of the case to help get certain charges reduced down to disorderly persons offenses.
Here is a list of the kinds of sex offenses charges someone can be charged with Linden or elsewhere in Union County:
- Sexual assault & aggravated sexual assault
- Criminal sexual contact & aggravated criminal sexual contact
- Possession & distribution of child pornography
- Lewdness
- Prostitution & promoting prostitution
- Loitering for the purpose of prostitution
- Endangering the welfare of a child
- Luring, enticing, solicitation
- Statutory rape
- Failure to register as a sex offender
What are the consequences of a sex offense conviction? Depending upon the seriousness of the offense, criminal penalties such as jail time and fines are one consequence. The presumptive term of imprisonment is 10-20 years for a first degree crime (e.g. aggravated sexual assault), 5-10 years for a second degree crime (e.g. sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, distribution of child pornography, etc.), 3-5 years for a third degree crime, up to 18 months for a fourth degree crime (e.g. prostitution, possession of child pornography, criminal sexual contact, etc.) and up to 6 months for a disorderly persons offense (e.g. lewdness, loitering for purposes of prostitution, etc.). In addition, given the nature of sex offenses and New Jersey’s emphasis on stopping repeat offenders, New Jersey also requires those convicted of certain sex offenses to register under Megan’s Law. Megan’s Law requires sex offenders to provide information that can be disseminated to the public so that others are aware that a person convicted of a sex offense is in the community. Megan’s Law obligations may last for 15 years or longer depending upon the offense. Having a lawyer by your side is important in sex offense cases because the registration consequences (beyond jail time and fines) could have a massive impact on your life, your family, and your future.
What types of defenses are available? Many sexual crimes occur when there are no witnesses, and possibly very little physical evidence. Prosecutors, therefore, must rely on the credibility of the victim in proving a case. It is also not uncommon for false accusations to be made in such circumstances. You should obtain competent representation so your lawyer can explore the various defenses available, include constitutional issues, psychological evaluations, evidence of a victim’s motive to make an accusation, and evidence in the prosecutor’s possession that tends to demonstrate your innocence of the charges.
Linden Sex Offense Defense Lawyers
A conviction for a sex offense could have a lasting impact on your life, particularly due to the stigma attached to such offenses and the implications of sex offender registration. That makes it all the more important that you engage a skilled criminal attorney as early as possible in the process. The defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have particular expertise with sex offense matters and can help you mitigate the consequences of any sex offense charge. Call our office today at 908-272-1700 for a consultation with an experienced lawyer. The initial consultation with one of our attorneys is free of charge so do not hesitate to contact us for the guidance you need.
