Brick New Jersey Criminal Sexual Contact Lawyer
The Iler Law Firm represents individuals charged with sex crimes including aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a minor, and criminal sexual contact. Remember, in New Jersey these offenses often have Megan's Law implications regarding registration as a sex offender. Our criminal defense lawyers represent clients charged with these indictable criminal offenses throughout New Jersey including in Monmouth County Superior Court, Middlesex County Superior Court, Ocean County Superior Court, and Essex County Superior Court. Please contact our Red Bank, New Jersey office for a free initial consultation at (732)842-7787.
Criminal Sexual Contact in New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3
In New Jersey, the statute which governs charges for criminal sexual contact is N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3 which provides:
§ 2C:14-3. Aggravated criminal sexual contact; criminal sexual contact
a. An actor is guilty of aggravated criminal sexual contact if he commits an act of sexual contact with the victim under any of the circumstances set forth in 2C:14-2 a.(2) through (7).
Aggravated criminal sexual contact is a crime of the third degree.
b. An actor is guilty of criminal sexual contact if he commits an act of sexual contact with the victim under any of the circumstances set forth in section 2C:14-2 c.(1) through (4).
Criminal sexual contact is a crime of the fourth degree.
Explanation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3
As you can see, the above statute does not clearly outline the circumstances of criminal sexual contact. Instead, it refers to N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2, which is the statute governing sexual assault in New Jersey. Essentially, criminal sexual contact is a downgraded (or lower charge) from sexual assault. Thus, if the State is unable to prove the necessary elements of aggravated sexual assault or sexual assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2 (such as penetration), then the defendant will often be charged with criminal sexual contact instead.
