South Jersey Criminal Sexual Contact Defense Attorney

Criminal Sexual Contact Charge Lawyer Vigorously Defends Clients in Camden County, Burlington County, and Throughout New Jersey

Criminal sexual contact is a serious charge in New Jersey. If you are convicted of such charges, you can face serious life-long consequences, from fines and jail time to classification as a convicted criminal and the potential loss of many social, civic, and economic opportunities. If you or someone you know has been charged with criminal sexual contact, speak with the reputable South Jersey criminal sexual contact defense attorney at Gelman Law, LLC. A criminal sexual contact charge lawyer in Cherry Hill, NJ from our firm will review your case, gather evidence, and defend you against the charges you face to the full extent of the law.

Legal Definitions of Criminal Sexual Contact Under N.J.S.A 2C:14-3

The New Jersey statutes that contain the state’s criminal sexual contact laws are codified in N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3. According to this statute, criminal sexual contact occurs when someone degrades, humiliates, or seeks sexual gratification from a victim by touching themselves in the view of a victim or touching the intimate parts of the victim, either directly or through clothing. Here, “intimate parts” are defined as any part of the genital region, the sexual organs, as well as the anal area, buttocks, inner thighs, and breasts. It is important to note that if the actor in question touches themselves for sexual gratification when the victim is in view, criminal sexual contact only occurs if the victim is aware of the presence of the actor.

While criminal sexual contact is categorized as a lesser crime than, for example, sexual assault, it is still a serious offense and does not require penetration of any sort to be brought forth as a charge against an actor.

There are fine lines between lower-level and more serious sexual charges, and the outcomes of different charges can vary substantially, so speak with a South Jersey criminal sexual contact defense attorney today to learn more about how we can help you with your specific case.

Experienced Criminal Sexual Contact Charge Lawyer in Cherry Hill, NJ Handles Complex Sex Crime Cases

There are two basic categories of criminal sexual contact. The first is baseline criminal sexual contact, and the second is aggravated criminal sexual contact.

Baseline criminal sexual contact occurs when any of the following is true:

• The accused does not injure the victim but uses physical force or coercion against them;
• The accused has some form of control over the victim, as a supervisor or disciplinary actor may have over someone on probation or parole or someone who is detained in an institution such as a hospital or prison;
• The victim is between 16 and 18 years old and the accused is related in some way to the victim, or the accused has some form of supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim;
• The victim is between 13 and 16 years old, and the accused is at least four years older.

Aggravated criminal sexual contact occurs if:

• The victim is less than 13 years old;
• The victim is between 13 and 16 years old and the accused is somehow related to them or has some sort of supervisory or disciplinary power over them;
• The accused committed the alleged crimes when committing or attempting to commit robbery, burglary, kidnapping, arson, murder, aggravated assault, or criminal escape;
• The accused uses a weapon or other object to threaten the victim;
• The use of force or coercion is involved;
• The accused knew or should have known that the victim was somehow helpless or incapacitated, either physically or mentally, even if temporarily, to the extent that they were unable to understand the nature of the accused’s conduct or provide consent.

These are complex situations, and the burden of proof is on the prosecution to demonstrate that you were beyond a reasonable doubt guilty of breaking the laws and meeting the thresholds required for a conviction. Your best defense is to speak with a skilled criminal sexual contact charge lawyer in Camden County, NJ. The reputable South Jersey criminal sexual contact defense attorney at Gelman Law, LLC is just a call away and can help handle your case for you.

South Jersey Criminal Sexual Contact Defense Attorney Strives to Minimize Penalties for Conviction

If you face charges related to criminal sexual contact under N.J.S.A 2C:14-3, you need a criminal defense attorney you can trust to skillfully and knowledgeably handle your case. Under New Jersey law, criminal sexual contact is a fourth-degree crime and can lead to fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 18 months. Aggravated criminal sexual contact, on the other hand, is a third-degree crime and carries fines of up to $15,000 and jail time of between 3 and 5 years.

In order to get your charges reduced or dismissed, contact a criminal sexual contact charge lawyer in Camden County, NJ at Gelman Law, LLC today to learn more about your rights, what to do after being accused, and for end-to-end assistance with your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Facing Criminal Sexual Contact Charges in New Jersey