Bergen County Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact Attorneys

Aggravated criminal sexual contact is a serious charge that has harsh consequences. A conviction or a plea of guilty cannot only potentially turn you or your loved one’s world upside down, but it can lead to possible prison time, supervision for life, and registering as a sex offender among many other things. Our firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, has the experience and knowledge to defend your or your loved one against this charge since we have:

  • Over two-hundred (200) years of combined experience
  • A team of eleven (11) criminal defense attorneys that devote their entire practice to criminal law
  • Our firm has eight (8) former prosecutors
    • Four (4) of our attorneys were former county prosecutors and held directorial positions of the Drug, Gang, and Gun Task Force, Major Crimes Division, Trial Division, Juvenile Division
  • Two (2) of our lawyers were recently selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2021 list for New Jersey which is a highly credentialed, peer-influenced, third-party validated, and a patented process that only 2.5% of the attorneys in New Jersey are selected to this list
  • One (1) of our attorneys is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney, a distinction held by less than 1% of attorneys in this State
  • Selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40

An Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact charges have serious consequences, and you or your loved one need serious attorneys to handle these allegations. We have three (3) offices located throughout Bergen County. We have offices in Paramus, Hackensack, as well as Fort Lee. Call one of our offices for a free consultation at 201-429-9783, we’re available 24/7.

Hackensack Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact Lawyers

N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3, also known as aggravated criminal sexual contact, is a serious crime that can impact the rest of you or your loved one’s life if convicted. Other charges that you can potentially face besides this charge are criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child. The statute (2C:14-3(a)) states, in part, that:

  • That a defendant is guilty of aggravated criminal sexual contact if he or she commits an act of sexual contact with the alleged victim as set forth in 2C:14-2a (2) through (7), which is the following:
    • At least 13 but younger than 16; and
      • The defendant is related to the alleged victim by blood or “affinity to the third degree” or
      • The defendant watches or disciplines the alleged victim by his/her legal, professional, or occupational status, or
      • The defendant is “a resource family parent, a guardian, or stands in loco parentis within the household”

Other ways you can be charged with Aggravated Sexual Contact

Besides the allege victim being a younger than 16 but at least 13, there are other ways you or a loved one can be charged with aggravated sexual contact at the Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ. The other scenarios where you or a loved one can face this serious charge are as follows:

        • He/she during the commission or attempted commission of a robbery, kidnapping, murder, aggravated assault on another person, burglary, arson and/or criminal escape
        • He/she is armed with a weapon (handgun, knife, bat) or any item that would lead the alleged victim to reasonably think the item is a weapon and the defendant threatens either by word or movement that he/she will use that weapon;
        • He/she is helped by one or more people and the defendant uses physical force or coercion;
        • He/she uses physical force or coercion that results in a severe injury to the alleged victim;
        • The alleged victim was physically or mentally incapacitated (his includes intellectually and/or mentally incapacitated) and the defendant knew or should have known that the alleged victim was not capable of providing consent

What is Sexual Contact?

Sexual contact differs from sexual assault. The ‘main’ difference between the two is that under sexual contact there was no form of penetration. Sexual contact under NJ law (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1d) is:

  • When the defendant intentionally touches the alleged victim or has the alleged victim intentionally touch him/her. This is done:
    • Either directly or through the clothing of the alleged victim or defendant’s intimate parts. Intimate parts may include:
      • Genital or anal areas
      • Sexual organs
      • Inner thigh
      • Buttocks
      • Groin
      • Breasts
    • The defendant purposely touches the alleged victim or has the alleged victim touch him or her to:
      • degrade or humiliate the alleged victim
      • be sexually aroused
      • get sexually gratification

What are the Penalties for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact?

If you or a loved one is convicted of aggravated criminal sexual contact at the Bergen County Superior Court, then you or your loved one are looking at serious consequences. Aggravated Sexual Contact is a third (3rd) degree indictable (felony). This means that if convicted at the Bergen County Courthouse you or your loved one will be exposed to the following penalties:

  • A minimum of three (3) to a maximum of five (5) years in State prison
  • Register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law
  • Parole Supervision for Life (PSL)
  • Up to a $15,000.00 fine and other court costs

Statute Of Limitation

There is cut off period for when a aggravated criminal sexual contact charge can be filed. The statute of limitations for an aggravated criminal sexual contact charge is two (2) years from the date of discovery of the offense or five (5) years from the date of a minor victim reaching eighteen (18), whichever date is later.

Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact in Bergen County

To ensure that your rights will be protected to the fullest extent allowed by law, it is important that you engage an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after being arrested for a sex crime. Set up a free initial legal consultation with the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at any of our three (3) of our locations in Bergen County (Paramus, Hackensack, and Fort Lee) today to get started on a strong legal defense. Feel free to call us at 201-429-9783, we’re available 24/7