New Jersey Sex Crime Defense Lawyer

Were you charged with a sex crime in New Jersey? If so, contact William Proetta Criminal Law right away. Whether your situation involves a misunderstanding, a false accusation, or something more complex, sexual offense accusations must be taken extremely seriously. Our legal team has the skills and resources to develop a powerful defense on your behalf.

The trusted New Jersey sex crime attorneys at our firm have handled thousands of cases throughout New Jersey and have worked tirelessly to earn our reputation for providing exceptional representation. When you work with us, we will be by your side through every step of the legal process.

The penalties for a sex crime conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact us today to discuss your case – and how we can help you – in a free and confidential consultation.

Our Lawyers Defend Against All Kinds of Sex Crime Accusations

At William Proetta Criminal Law, we defend clients in New Jersey who have been charged with a broad range of sex crimes, including:

Sexual assault

Sexual assault is a blanket term that describes a range of different types of sexual contact. However, in general, the term refers to forcible or unwanted sexual penetration of another person or sexual penetration of an incapacitated victim.

Criminal sexual contact

Criminal sexual contact involves forced or unwanted sexual contact between a perpetrator and the alleged victim, who could be a minor.

Statutory rape

Statutory rape is generally when someone engages in a sexual activity with a minor who is not old enough to provide legal consent. In New Jersey, minors must be at least 16 to provide legal consent. Exceptions exist such as when both parties are 13 or older and less than four years apart in age. Still, it is always a serious offense to have sexual contact with a child under 13.

Child pornography

Child pornography is a form of child sexual exploitation. In New Jersey, it is against the law to possess, distribute, receive, or share images of child pornography, or to generate images of a child engaged in sexual acts. Sexting explicit images of minors can also be considered child pornography.

Endangering the welfare of a child

Child endangerment occurs when a guardian or caretaker abuses or neglects a child or exposes a child to sexual activity or conduct that could harm the child or impair their morals.

Revenge porn

Posting revenge porn is illegal in New Jersey. Revenge porn involves distributing sexually explicit images of a person without their consent.

Prostitution

A person may be guilty of engaging in prostitution (more commonly referred to as “sex work” today) if they offer or accept money in exchange for sex.

Lewdness

Lewd behavior, which includes indecent exposure, is doing any “flagrantly lewd or offensive act” that is likely to be seen by nonconsenting individuals.

Indecent exposure

A person may be guilty of indecent exposure if they expose their “intimate parts” such as by flashing their genitals, having sex in public, or even urinating in a public space. Doing so when a child less than 13 or someone who is mentally disabled is likely to observe the act is especially serious.

Failure to register as a sex offender

If a convicted sex offender is required by the court to register and they fail to do so, they can be charged with a crime.

Whatever charges you are facing, you shouldn’t have to navigate the legal system on your own. All individuals who have been charged with crimes in New Jersey are presumed innocent unless the prosecution can prove otherwise. The New Jersey sex crime lawyers at William Proetta Criminal Law will vigorously protect your rights and explore every potential defense for your case.

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How an Experienced New Jersey Sex Crime Attorney Can Fight for You

In New Jersey, sex crimes carry some of the heaviest penalties. If convicted, you could face serious prison time, steep fines, and other harsh consequences, including having to register as a sex offender. That’s why you need robust legal representation to help you build the strongest possible defense.

The New Jersey sex crime lawyers at William Proetta Criminal Law can help with your case by:

Explaining your legal rights and outlining all the defense strategies that could be used in your case

Working to uncover evidence that benefits your defense

Interviewing witnesses and identifying discrepancies in stories

Thoroughly reviewing exactly what happened and determining whether police misconduct played a role in the initial investigation

Arguing for the charges against you to be reduced or for the case to be dismissed

Defending your rights in court and presenting an effective, compelling case before the jury

When your freedom, livelihood, and character are in question, you need to use every available resource to fight the charges and pursue a positive resolution. Your best chance of bringing a solid defense to your case is to hire a seasoned sex crime defense attorney who has successfully handled cases like yours before.

At William Proetta Criminal Law, we have the skills and resources to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

Common Defenses to Sex Crime Charges

sex crimes defense

Some of the most common defenses that our attorneys use to defend clients who have been charged with sex crimes include:

Consent – You might be able to argue that the sexual interaction was consensual. However, you will not be able to use this defense if the victim was a minor. Minors are not legally able to consent to sexual activity.
False accusation – If you believe you have been wrongly accused, you might be able to argue that the allegations against you are false. If you can present evidence that proves the charges against you have no basis in reality, you could have your case dismissed. For example, if you were in a public place when the alleged sex crime occurred, your attorney could use surveillance video to confirm your side of the story.
Police misconduct – Your attorney will review every aspect of the police investigation into the alleged sex crime. If the police engaged in misconduct, conducted a flawed investigation, or violated your constitutional rights (such as your right against unreasonable search and seizure), that could be grounds for case dismissal.
Inability to prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt – Your attorney also may be able to show that there is not adequate evidence for the prosecution to prove every aspect of the charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt.

Some individuals who have been accused of sex acts involving a minor may argue that they had no way of knowing that the person was underage. However, in New Jersey, you will not be able to use mistake of age as a legitimate defense in your case, even if the person told you they were of age.

These are just a few of the potential defenses that your attorney at William Proetta Criminal Law might use to fight the charges against you. Every case is different, which is why we tailor a defense aimed at achieving the best possible outcome based on the circumstances of your case.

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Understanding Sex Crime Penalties in New Jersey

sex crimes defense New Jersey

Sex crimes in New Jersey carry some of the most severe penalties. Punishments vary based on the type of offense. Some of the most common sex crimes and their respective penalties include:

First-degree sex crimes – First-degree sex crimes are generally punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, though the penalty could be higher when the victim is less than 13 years old. Aggravated sexual assault is a common type of first-degree sex crime in New Jersey.
Second-degree sex crimes – Individuals who commit second-degree sex crimes, such as sexual assault, can be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years behind bars.
Third-degree sex crimes – Third-degree sex crimes such as criminal sexual contact carry a potential sentence of up to five years behind bars.
Fourth-degree sex crimes – Fourth-degree sex crimes are punishable by incarceration for up to 18 months.
Disorderly persons offenses – Disorderly persons offenses like certain lewd acts can be punished by a maximum sentence of six months in jail.

While the penalties for sex crimes are harsh, many offenders continue to experience the ramifications of a conviction for years to come, even if the conviction was minor. If you are convicted of a sex crime in New Jersey, you may have difficulty securing employment and finding housing. You might not be allowed to live in or even enter certain areas. Many individuals who are required to register as sex offenders also experience harassment from neighbors, since their personal details and location information are publicly listed on the New Jersey Sex Offender Registry.

The only way to potentially avoid these consequences is to fight your charges tooth and nail with a proven criminal trial attorney.

What You Need to Know About the New Jersey Sex Offender Registry

The state of New Jersey passed a law in 1994, known as Megan’s Law, that requires some individuals who have been convicted of sex crimes to register as a sex offender. The law places sex offenders into three categories based on the likelihood that they will offend again:

Tier I –Offenders who have a low risk of re-offending are placed in Tier I. If you are a low-risk offender, police will be notified of your status, but you will not have to register yourself on the New Jersey Sex Offender Registry.
Tier II – Offenders in Tier II are considered to be moderate-risk offenders, meaning there is a fair chance of re-offending. If you are placed into Tier II, local police will be informed of your status, as well as local schools, daycares, and other centers that care for minors. You may or may not have to register as a sex offender if you are in Tier II.
Tier III – Tier III offenders are considered to be at high risk of re-offending. If you are classified as a Tier III offender, you must register as a sex offender. Failure to do so could result in severe penalties.

At William Proetta Criminal Law, we will vigorously argue for you to be placed into the lowest tier if you have been convicted of a sex crime in New Jersey. If you believe you have been incorrectly classified, our attorneys can help you to challenge your placement by presenting your counter-argument before a Superior Court judge.

Get Advice from a New Jersey Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Today

If you have been charged with a sex crime, reach out to a New Jersey defense lawyer at William Proetta Criminal Law for a free consultation. Our lawyers understand how scary it can be to face severe penalties, including prison time. We fight for you like we would fight for a member of our family.