NEW JERSEY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

NJ Statutory Rape Defense Lawyer

Protect Your Future with the Help of an Experienced NJ Statutory Rape Defense Attorney

If you are under investigation or have already been charged with statutory rape in New Jersey, it is crucial that you retain an experienced criminal defense attorney. It is important to note that although the term “statutory rape” is not actually used in the NJ Criminal Code, it refers to a range of criminal offenses, including endangering the welfare of a child, criminal sexual contact, and sexual assault. These charges carry severe consequences that can put your freedom and future at risk. The skilled New Jersey sex crimes attorneys at our law firm know how to protect your rights and work towards a positive outcome in your case.

Understanding Age of Consent Laws in New Jersey

Statutory rape typically occurs when an adult engages in sexual intercourse with a minor who has not yet reached the age of consent. This rule is grounded in the knowledge that young children lack awareness about the serious consequences of engaging in sexual relations, such as unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. In New Jersey, the age of consent is sixteen years old. A child under this age lacks both maturity and the capacity to consent to sexual activity. Therefore, voluntary participation in such conduct resulting from any persuasion or influence will result in statutory rape charges even if force was absent.

The NJ Statutory Rape Charge

In general, there are two scenarios where someone can face statutory rape charges without any signs of violence: being at least four years older than a minor between thirteen and sixteen years old while engaging in sexual penetration or participating in sexually immoral conduct with a minor over whom one has duty-of-care channels such as teachers and coaches.

Repercussions Despite Victim’s Misrepresentation

It is important to note that if you engage in inappropriate acts with victims who lie about their age despite being underage for consensual intercourse might also land oneself into statutory rape charges from strict liability consideration; therefore no defense strategy may thrive.

Penalties for NJ Statutory Rape Charges

The seriousness of an offense in which a person can face for statutory rape crimes can result in a variety of penalties based on the offense categorization defined below:

– Second Degree: A person convicted of second-degree sexual assault derives between 5 to 10 years behind bars with monetary fines ranging up to $150,000. The same punishment applies to second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
– Third-Degree Crime: Such third-degree offenses carry a prison sentence ranging from three to five years and monetary fines that fall under $15,000, resulting from endangerment of child welfare carrying alongside third-degree aggravated criminal sexual conduct charge.
– Fourth-Degree Crime: Conviction for either criminal sexual contact or lewdness proves as fourth-degree crime having someone locked away for 18 months maximum and paying at most $10,000 in fines.

It is worth noting that conviction for a second degree sex crime that includes statutory rape charges will trigger Megan’s Law (mandatory sex offender registration) and parole supervision throughout life. Therefore, this shows the severity regarding such consequences because the offenses could last throughout someone’s life.

Put Your Trust in Experienced NJ Statutory Rape Lawyers

Given statutory rape charges’ sensitivity components’s nature and severe punishment among all other criminal offenses, choosing the right defense lawyer should be your top priority. Our team of experienced New Jersey sex crimes attorneys at Spodek Law Group have what it takes to effectively represent you throughout your case. We understand how important protecting your future is by defending yourself against these serious charges. We leverage our extensive trial experience handling complex cases similar to yours with exceptional care coupled with legal counsel services necessary for determining dismissal possibility. Our goal is simple – obtaining justice for you after rigorous coverage like investigations with positive results on your behalf concerning finding success at any cost necessary. Call us today at 877-534-7338 for an immediate consultation with one of our lawyers on issues you wish to discuss at no cost.