Camden County Criminal Sexual Contact Charge
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Understanding Camden County Criminal Sexual Contact Charges
Criminal sexual contact charges in Camden County, New Jersey can be scary and confusing to deal with. This article will break things down in an easy-to-understand way, so you know what to expect if you or a loved one is facing accusations.
What is Criminal Sexual Contact?
In New Jersey, criminal sexual contact refers to any unwanted sexual touching of intimate body parts like the genitals, buttocks, or breasts. It covers things like groping, fondling, kissing, etc. without consent.
The crime can range from a disorderly persons offense up to a second-degree felony, depending on specifics like the age of the victim, use of force, injury caused, etc. We’ll break those down more below.
What Are the Different Types of Charges?
There are a few main categories of criminal sexual contact charges in NJ:
Sexual Assault
This covers non-consensual sexual contact using physical force or coercion. Things like threats, weapons, or causing injury bump it up to the more serious first-degree crime of aggravated sexual assault.
Criminal Sexual Contact with a Victim Under Age 13
Touching the intimate parts of a child under 13 is automatically a second-degree felony, even without force. The age difference between victim and accused doesn’t matter.
Criminal Sexual Contact by Certain Family Members
Sexual contact between family members – like parents, step-parents, siblings, uncles/aunts, grandparents, etc. – is also a second-degree crime regardless of consent or age.
Intimate Parts Criminal Sexual Contact
Non-violent groping or fondling without consent is a fourth-degree offense. Things like reaching under clothes or “accidentally” brushing against intimate areas.
Lewdness
Obscene sexual acts in public or exposing/touching yourself sexually to shock or offend others. This is a disorderly persons offense.
What Are Typical Defenses Against the Charges?
Some common defenses against criminal sexual contact charges include:
- Consent – Showing the sexual contact was consensual can beat the charges. However, consent can’t be used as a defense with victims under 13 or family members.
- Mistaken Identity – Proving you weren’t the person who committed the offense by showing you were elsewhere at the time.
- False Accusations – Demonstrating the alleged victim is lying about what happened, like exposing credibility issues or motives to fabricate accusations.
- Intoxication – Arguing you were too impaired by drugs or alcohol to knowingly commit a sexual offense. This is tricky and usually requires expert testimony.
What Are the Potential Penalties if Convicted?
Penalties vary widely based on the specific charges, but can include:
- Up to 9-10 years in New Jersey state prison for first and second-degree offenses.
- Thousands in fines and penalties.
- Lifetime sex offender registration which severely limits housing and job options.
- Probation or parole for up to 5 years including strict conditions like therapy, drug tests, geographic limits, etc.
- Civil lawsuits and money damages to the victim.
Lesser disorderly persons offenses may “only” involve up to 6 months in county jail plus fines and probation. But any sex crime conviction leads to stigma and affects the rest of your life.
What Should I Do if Facing Charges in Camden County?
The first thing is don’t talk to the police without an experienced criminal defense lawyer present. Police are allowed – and encouraged – to lie to suspects to get information or a confession.
Be polite but firmly state you won’t answer questions without your lawyer. Then contact defense attorneys who specialize in Camden County sex crime charges for personalized legal advice ASAP. A skilled lawyer can often get charges reduced or even dismissed before it goes to trial.
Facing sex offense charges is scary but proper legal guidance can help get the best possible outcome. Don’t go through it alone – connect with a lawyer right away to protect your rights and future. It’s stressful but there are options, so don’t lose hope.
I hope this overview gives you a better idea of what to expect with Camden County criminal sexual contact accusations. Let me know if you have any other questions!