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 Philadelphia District Attorney’s office builds their case.
The officer met the woman when he visited her workplace while on duty early in the summer. On August 8, several weeks after their initial meeting, they went out on a date. At the end of the date, he allegedly sexually assaulted the woman and she reported it to the police. While the Philadelphia District Attorney Office’s Special Investigations Unit is still requesting information from the public, the criminal complaint alleged that there was evidence to back up the woman’s allegations. The details of the assault and the evidence gathered at the scene have not been released but were enough for the District Attorney to secure an indictment.
Sexual Assault Laws in New Jersey
In New Jersey, sexual assault is taken very seriously and punished severely under the law. Sexual assault is more than just rape; it is defined as any act of sexual penetration in which physical force or coercion is used to compel one of the parties to participate. This includes cases in which the victim is under the power or authority of the perpetrator, such as inmates or parolees. Sexual assault, considered a second-degree felony, is upgraded to a first-degree crime of aggravated sexual assault when there is a weapon involved, the act is committed in the course of committing another crime, or the victim is somehow handicapped or incapacitated. The law also covers sexual acts committed with minors, especially those committed by a family member.
There is no statute of limitations for sexual assault in New Jersey. If convicted of sexual assault, a perpetrator can face 10 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $200,000, and they must register as a sex offender. Sexual assault is a heinous crime, but also one of the most misunderstood, as in many cases, the only witnesses are the victim and the perpetrator. In order to get a conviction, prosecutors must prove that the victim did not consent to the sexual contact and that the perpetrator’s intent was to obtain sexual gratification or degrade or arouse the victim.
Cherry Hill Sex Crimes Lawyers at the Law Offices of The Law Offices of Christopher St. John Provide Comprehensive Representation to Those Facing Sexual Assault Accusations
If you were accused of or charged with sexual assault in New Jersey, call the Cherry Hill sex crimes lawyers at the Law Offices of The Law Offices of Christopher St. John. We will thoroughly review the facts of your case and pursue an aggressive defense strategy to get you the best possible outcome. We are committed to ensuring that your rights are protected and will work with prosecutors as needed. Located in Haddonfield, New Jersey, we represent clients throughout Camden County, Burlington County, Salem County, and Gloucester County. Call us today at 856-296-3481 or contact us online for an initial consultation.
Christopher St. John
Tess Berkowitz