Sexual assault convictions involving minors in New Jersey can have a devastating impact on a person’s professional and personal life. A person who is convicted of sexual assault
against minors can expect prison time, probation and mandatory registration as a sex offender. He can also expect to deal with overwhelming social stigma during the rest of his life. A conviction can have an impact on his personal life, his housing options and future employment prospects.
Aggravated Sexual Assault
In New Jersey, a person is believed to have committed aggravated sexual assault if he commits an act of sexual penetration with:
- A victim below or 13 years of age;
- A victim between 13 and 16 years of age;
- A victim who is related to the offender by blood or affinity to the third degree; or
- A victim who is physically or mentally incapacitated.
Aggravated sexual assault is also deemed to have been committed if:
- The offender is a parent or guardian;
- The act is committed during the commission or attempted commission of other crimes, including kidnapping, robbery, homicide, aggravated assault on another, burglary, arson or criminal escape;
- The offender is armed with a weapon, and threatens to use the weapon on the victim;
- The offender is held by one or more other persons, and uses physical force; or
- The offender uses physical force and injures the victim.
Aggravated sexual assault is considered a crime of the first degree.
Sexual Assault
In cases of sexual assault, a second-degree crime, the crime is considered to have been committed if:
- The victim is less than 13 years of age and the offender is at least four years older than the victim;
- The victim is between 16 and 18 years of age;
- The offender used physical force without the victim sustaining injuries; or
- The victim was on probation or parole, or detained in a hospital or prison, and the offender had disciplinary or supervisory power over the victim.
Lifelong Effects
Being convicted of either of these crimes can greatly impact the rest of your life. That's why it's important to consult with an experienced New Jersey sex crime defense lawyer or a criminal defense attorney in New Jersey as soon as you are charged with either of these crimes.
