Blog Posts - Sex crimes
How Do Plea Deals Work in Sex Offense Cases?
In some criminal cases, there may be plea deals involved. A plea deal may be offered to a defendant when the government has a strong case against them. If a person accepts a plea deal, they agree to plead guilty or no contest to a crime. In exchange, they can...
Read More
Will I Have to Register as a Sex Offender if Convicted?
If you have been accused of a sex crime in New Jersey, you need to act quickly. The longer you ignore the situation, the more likely you are to face serious penalties. Nobody wants to be known as a sex offender, but if you are convicted of a sex crime,...
Read More
What Happens if I am Accused of Sexual Contact at a College or University?
Criminal sexual contact is a serious crime in New Jersey. Under New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 2C:14-3, a person is guilty of criminal sexual contact if he commits an act of sexual contact with the victim. This is defined as the intentional, non-consensual touching of intimate body parts for sexual...
Read More
Can a Sex Crime Charge Be Expunged in New Jersey?
If you have been accused of a crime but were never formally charged or the case was acquitted, you may be eligible for an expungement. An expungement is a legal process that physically removes or destroys a criminal record from public and law enforcement databases, essentially erasing it as if...
Read More
Are There Defenses Available if I am Falsely Accused of Sexual Assault?
Touching a person sexually without their permission is considered sexual assault. According to New Jersey law, sexual assault is defined as any form of sexual penetration, however slight, that occurs without consent or involves a person who is unable to give consent. The statute also includes certain acts of sexual...
Read More
What is the Difference Between Sexual Assault and Aggravated Sexual Assault?
Sex crimes are taken seriously in New Jersey. If convicted, a person can face prison time, fines, and sex offender registration. Sexual assault is outlined in NJ Rev Stat § 2C:14-2. In New Jersey, the distinction between sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault lies primarily in the severity of the...
Read More
What Is Considered a Sex Crime Under New Jersey Law?
When someone is accused of a “sex crime” in New Jersey, that phrase covers a wide range of offenses under state statute. New Jersey’s laws, in particular N.J.S.A. 2C:14 et seq., define various sexual offenses by the nature of the contact, the age or condition of the victim, and whether...
Read More
What Are the Potential Penalties for a Sex Offense Conviction in South Jersey?
A conviction for a sex offense in South Jersey (or anywhere in New Jersey) carries very serious consequences. Because the state treats sexual offenses with heightened scrutiny, the penalties often go far beyond prison time. Anyone facing these charges needs to understand the risk and act quickly to defend their...
Read More
What Is Megan’s Law?
“Megan’s Law” refers to New Jersey’s system of laws requiring certain persons convicted of sex crimes to register with law enforcement and, in many cases, be subject to public notification. The law was enacted in 1994 in response to the tragic case of Megan Kanka, and is codified under N.J.S.A....
Read More
Can I Be Charged with a Sex Offense if the Alleged Victim Consented but Is Underage?
Many people mistakenly believe that consent always protects someone from prosecution of a sex crime. But under New Jersey law, when the alleged victim is underage (i.e., under the legal age of consent), “consent” often is legally irrelevant. Even if the minor appeared willing, the law may treat the conduct...
Read More
Does Megan's Law Specifically Prohibit Where a Sex Offender Can Reside?
If you have been convicted of a sex crime, you may wonder about the next steps. One thing you may be concerned about is whether you have to move. There are a lot of myths about sex crimes. For example, you may have heard that sex offenders cannot live near...
Read More
How Do You Get Removed from Megan’s Law in NJ?
If you are a convicted sex offender, you will be facing imprisonment, steep fines, and potentially be ordered to pay restitution to the victim. You may face community supervision for life following a sexual assault, kidnapping, or aggravated criminal sexual contact. If that does not seem bad enough, you will...
Read More
What Constitutes an Aggravated Sexual Assault?
If you are under investigation for aggravated sexual assault, acquiring representation immediately is a must. The state imposes harsh penalties for those accused of aggravated sexual assault, including imprisonment, fines, and lifetime registration on the New Jersey sex offender registry. Thankfully, the South Jersey aggravated sexual assault lawyers at The...
Read More
What are the Requirements for Megan’s Law?
Megan’s Law is named after Megan Kanka, a seven-year-old who was raped and murdered by her neighbor, who was a convicted sex offender. If you have been prosecuted for a sexual offense, you will be required to follow the regulations instituted under Megan’s Law. While Megan’s Law exists at the...
Read More
What are the Different Types of Sex Crimes?
The stigma that follows individuals accused of sex crimes can impact a person’s future. If you are facing criminal charges, you need to hire an experienced counsel to defend your rights. Avoiding a conviction will keep you from serving time, paying steep fines and court fees, and having your name...
Read MoreDoes New Jersey Have Romeo and Juliet Laws?
Teenagers are evolving into adults and start to take on adult behaviors, like sexual activity. For parents, one of the many fears is that their child will be targeted by an adult. However, what if the teenager has entered into a consensual sexual relationship with another teenager? In New Jersey,...
Read MoreCan I be Removed from the Megan’s Law Internet Registry?
Enacted in 1994 by the State of New Jersey, Megan’s Law is a group of statutes that mandates public disclosure of information pertaining to sex offenders. These laws were ratified on the federal level two years later, allowing states to let the public know when there are sex offenders in...
Read MoreWhat is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is both a legal and social issue that has garnered increased attention over the last several years. It is a worldwide issue that constantly evolves with new legal challenges and law enforcement strategies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) lists human trafficking as the third-largest international crime. Human...
Read MoreWhat Defenses Can be Used in Statutory Rape Cases?
It is against the law for an adult to have sex with a minor. This law still applies when the sex is consensual between both parties. It is assumed that minors are not capable of providing informed consent for sexual activities. The age of consent varies from state to state...
Read MoreMegan’s Law Update
A conviction for a sex offense in the State of New Jersey generally carries with it the requirement of Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life. Under some, but not all circumstances, an individual may move to terminate his or her registration requirements under Megan’s Law, as well as parole...
Read MoreLegal Defenses in Sexual Assault Cases
All forms of rape count as sexual assault, but not all sexual assault crimes count as rape. Even though state laws vary, all states view sexual assault crimes as crimes that involve sexual activity with no clear consent. The legal defense used in a sexual assault case may revolve around...
Read MoreConsequences of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender
If you have been convicted of a sexual offense, such as sexual abuse or other related offenses, then you most likely are aware of the consequences and ramifications that have followed. In addition to your sentencing, you also will have to register as a sex offender in your jurisdiction. Evidently,...
Read MoreTypes of Sex Crimes
There are various types of sex crimes, some of the most common crimes include coercion and illegal sexual conduct against an individual. All states have certain laws that prohibit these crimes, but they often have statutes of limitations on lawsuits against alleged offenders. Sex crimes can be divided into certain...
Read MoreSex Offender Misled by Police
A recent state Supreme Court ruling raises important questions about the tactics law enforcement officers use to secure a confession. In 2011, police officers pulled over an individual suspected of numerous sexual assaults. During questioning, officers led him to believe that, if he confessed, he would get a more lenient...
Read MorePhiladelphia Police Officer Accused of Sexual Assault
A police officer in South Philadelphia was recently charged with sexually assaulting a woman with whom he took on a date. The officer, who works in Philadelphia’s 17th Precinct, is being held in jail with bail set at $1 million. He is currently suspended with intent to dismiss while the...
Read MoreSouth Jersey Criminal Lawyers: Megan’s Law
In New Jersey, convictions for certain sex offenses can result in an individual having to register as a sex offender pursuant to Megan’s Law. An individual required to register under Megan’s Law might also be sentenced to Community Supervision for Life or Parole Supervision for life, depending on the nature...
Read MoreSouth Jersey Criminal Defense Attorneys Discuss Sexual Misconduct Charges
Among the many offenses alleging some form of sexual misconduct, the crime of sexual assault is frequently charged. In New Jersey, sexual assault is a crime of second degree and carries with it a presumption of imprisonment. The normal sentencing range for a crime of sexual assault is between five...
Read MoreSouth Jersey Criminal Lawyer Discusses Megan’s Law
Megan’s Law, as it is commonly called, is a statutory requirement which mandates the registration and notification upon release of certain sex offenders. Those people who are required to register under Megan’s Law have been convicted of certain enumerated crimes set forth in N.J.S.A.2C:7-2. The complexity of Megan’s Law often...
Read MoreSouth Jersey Criminal Lawyers: The Safe Campus Act
When an individual is accused of a crime in the United States, the Constitution mandates that the accused be given due process of law. In other words, the Constitution protects United States citizens from having important rights taken away from them by making sure the accused is first given a...
Read MoreSouth Jersey Criminal Lawyers: Internet Sex Crime Charges are Serious
In the eyes of the law, there is little – if any – distinction to be made between a sex crime which is committed online and one which is committed in person. Charges such as attempted chatroom luring, pandering of obscenity and child exploitation or child pornography over the Internet...
Read More
Christopher St. John
Tess Berkowitz