Sexual Assault

Newark Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer

Even being investigated for sexual assault is embarrassing. The impact on a person’s professional and personal life is devastating. If you have been charged with sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault or lewdness in New Jersey, there are more than just potential fines and incarceration at stake. Your career and future opportunities are in jeopardy, not to mention your reputation among family, friends and others within the community.

Facing Sexual Assault Charges? Experience Matters.

Contact attorney Joseph D. Rotella. With 33 years of experience, he is a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, and is recognized as an expert in criminal cases. He is also board-certified as a criminal trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. A significant portion of his clients are those charged with sex crimes and sexual assault.

Joseph Rotella truly understands what is at stake here, including being listed as a registered sex offender. In addition, he was very involved in Megan’s Law when it came into effect 20 years ago and thoroughly understands how it may apply to your case.

Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your sexual assault charges with our experienced Newark sexual assault defense lawyer. Call 973-621-0333.

New Jersey Sexual Assault and Aggravated Sexual Assault Charges

Sexual assault is a second-degree crime in New Jersey. Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree crime in New Jersey. NJSA (New Jersey Statutes Annotated) 2C-14-2 and 14-3 lays out aggravated sexual assault charges:

Aggravated sexual assault is if the actor commits an act of sexual penetration with another person under any one of the following circumstances:

1. The victim is less than 13 years old;

1. The victim is at least 13 but less than 16 years old; and
2. The actor is related to the victim by blood or affinity to the third degree,
3. The actor has supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the actor’s legal, professional, or occupational status, or
4. The actor is a resource family parent, a guardian, or stands in loco parentis within the household;
5. The act is committed during the commission, or attempted commission, whether alone or with one or more other persons, of robbery, kidnapping, homicide, aggravated assault on another, burglary, arson or criminal escape;
6. The actor is armed with a weapon or any object fashioned in such a manner as to lead the victim to reasonably believe it to be a weapon and threatens by word or gesture to use the weapon or object;
7. The actor is aided or abetted by one or more other persons and the actor uses physical force or coercion;
8. The actor uses physical force or coercion and severe personal injury is sustained by the victim;
9. The victim is one whom the actor knew or should have known was physically helpless, mentally defective or mentally incapacitated.

Lewdness Charge – New Jersey

Another sex crime charge related to sexual assault is lewdness. Lewdness is described in NJSA 2C:14-4:

“Any flagrantly lewd and offensive act which he knows or reasonably expects is likely to be observed by other nonconsenting persons who would be affronted or alarmed.”

Lewd acts under the statute include, “exposing of the genitals for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person.” Contact Us for an Aggressive New Jersey Attorney Defending Sex Crimes

Joseph D. Rotella offers free initial consultations for sexual assault defense cases. The sooner you call him about your sexual assault charge, the better off you can be. There is too much at risk including your professional and social reputation. Contact a dedicated Essex County sexual assault defense attorney at our law firm for a free consultation