The offense of aggravated criminal sexual contact is set forth under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3 of New Jersey law. An individual may be found guilty of this offense if they sexually assault someone and certain other facts are present. Aggravated criminal sexual contact is a third degree crime, a felony, that carries significant jail time, among other things. If you were arrested and charged with aggravated criminal sexual contact, you need to consult an experienced Passaic County Sex Crimes Attorney. That is what you will get by calling our firm at 862-203-4070. We hope you find the information on this page of assistance and don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need representation.
Clifton NJ Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact Lawyers
Elements of this Offense
In order to convict someone of violating N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3, the prosecutor must establish that there was sexual contact under one of the following circumstances:
- The actor uses physical force or coercion, but the victim does not sustain severe personal injury;
- The victim is on probation or parole, or is detained in a hospital, prison or other institution and the actor has supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the actor’s legal, professional or occupational status;
- The victim is at least sixteen (16) but less than eighteen (18) years old and:
- The actor is related to the victim by blood or affinity to the third degree; or
- The actor has supervisory or disciplinary power of any nature or in any capacity over the victim; or
- The actor is a resource family parent, a guardian, or stands in loco parentis within the household; or
- The victim is at least thirteen (13) but less than sixteen (16) years old and the actor is at least four (4) years older than the victim.
For purposes of this statute, sexual contact includes the touching by either the victim or the defendant of either the victim’s or the defendant’s intimate parts. In addition, the state must prove that the underlying touching was not only intentional but that it was done with the purpose to degrade or sexual arouse the victim or in the alternative gratify the defendant.
Penalties for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact in NJ
As mentioned earlier, aggravated criminal sexual contact is a third degree offense. An individual’s jail exposure, if convicted, is three (3) to five (5) years in a state prison. In addition to potential jail time, a guilty plea or a conviction to this charge results in mandatory registration under Megan’s Law, as well as community supervision for life. The No Early Release Act does not, however, apply to a charge under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3.
Clifton NJ Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact Lawyers
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has eight Passaic County criminal defense lawyers on staff, making our office one of the largest criminal defense firms in the State, let alone Passaic County. Our office has been representing clients in towns like Totowa, Paterson, Wayne, Clifton, Little Falls, Wanaque, Passaic City and Hawthorne for over a decade. We have extensive experience representing clients charged with aggravated criminal sexual contact, criminal sexual contact, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, luring and endangering the welfare of a child. A lawyer on our defense team is available to speak to you and discuss your best options for fighting this charge. Give us a call for a free consultation at 862-203-4070.
