Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a serious crime to be accused of. It can change one’s future dramatically and not for the better. Anyone convicted of a sex crime may be made to register on a sex offender’s list. Registration on this list can have a huge negative impact on one’s life. Anyone can see who is registered on the list and that includes neighbors, friends, family, employers and landlords. In addition, anyone convicted of a sex crime can be looked up and their address made known. In some cases, the neighbors of a registered sex offender will attempt to remove him or her from the neighborhood. The reputation of one accused of a sex crime may never be the same again. In addition, finding a job, a place to live and obtaining a loan can become extremely difficult. Anyone facing sex crimes charges for sexual assault should speak with a Bergen County criminal defense attorney immediately.

About Sexual Assault Penalties

In the state of New Jersey the potential penalties for a sex crime including sexual assault can be:

• State prison from 18 months up to 20 years
• Hefty fines
• Court ordered rehabilitation
• Life parole
• Sex offender registration

A person can be charged with aggravated sexual assault under the following conditions:

• Sexual penetration with an individual less than 13 years
• Sexual penetration with a victim at least 13 years but less than 16 years; and
• The actor is related to the victim by blood or affinity to the third degree; or
• The actor has supervisory or disciplinary powers over the victim; or
• The actor is a foster parent, a guardian, or stands in loco parentis with the household
• The act is committed during the commission, or attempted commission, whether alone or with one or more persons, of robbery, kidnapping, homicide, aggravated assault on another, burglary, arson or criminal escape.