If you have been accused of lewdness in Mercer County, in towns like Trenton, Princeton, East Windsor, West Windsor, Ewing or Laurence it is important that you speak to a criminal defense lawyer about your options. Lewdness is a serious criminal offense that if not handled properly could cost a Defendant their freedom. Lewdness can be either a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor) or a fourth degree felony. Our office defends clients accused of lewdness, endangering the welfare of a child, luring, criminal sexual contact, aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault in Mercer County.
If you have been charged with any of the aforementioned offenses or any other offense for that matter, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Our attorneys possess not only the knowledge but the experience as well to fight these charges. Throughout his career, Mr. Oliver has represented clients charged with serious sex offenses like aggravated sexual assault, distributing child pornography, sexual assault, luring and lewdness. If you would like to come into our office of a face to face consultation with one of our attorneys then please contact us directly at (609) 789-0779. Our initial consultations are always free of costs, so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Our firm appears in Courts throughout Mercer County, including the Mercer County Superior Court, the Hamilton Municipal Court, the Trenton Municipal Court, the East Windsor Municipal Court and the Hopewell Municipal Court. Now here is some information on the offense of lewdness.
Lewdness Attorneys in Hamilton NJ
Lewdness is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4. The statute has been broken down into two subsections, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4(a) and N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4(b). As you will see below, the main difference between the two subsections will be who the victim is. Here is a breakdown of the two subsection of lewdness and what exactly the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lewdness Charges in Trenton NJ: N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4a
- That the Defendant committed a “flagrantly lewd and offensive act”;
- The Defendant knew or reasonably should have known that they would have been observed by a non-consenting person who would be offended.
A flagrantly lewd includes but is not limited to the following:
- Exposing of the genitals for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the Defendant;
An offensive act includes but is not limited to the following:
- Any act that is grossly vulgar and causing resentment , one which offends common modesty and delicacy.
This offense is a disorderly persons offense, which is also New Jersey’s version of a misdemeanor. If convicted, a Defendant would be facing up to 6 months in the Mercer County Jail, a fine up to $1,000 and a criminal record.
Lewdness Charges in NJ: N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4b(1) : Victim is a Child Under the Age of 13.
- That the Defendant exposed their intimate parts;
- The Defendant did so with the underlying purpose to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of themselves or another;
- The Defendant knew or reasonably should have known that they would have been observed by an child under the age of 13 years old;
- The child was in fact less than 13 years old; &
- The Defendant was at least four years older than the victim.
This offense is a fourth degree felony in New Jersey. If convicted, a Defendant would be facing up to 18 months in a State Prison, a fine up to $10,000 and a felony criminal record.
Lewdness Charges in NJ: N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4b(2) : Victim has a Mental Defect.
- That the Defendant exposed their intimate parts;
- The Defendant did so with the underlying purpose to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of themselves or another;
- The Defendant knew or reasonably should have known that they would have been observed by an a person who has a mental defect;
- The victim because of their mental defect was unable to understand the sexual nature of the Defendant’s conduct.
This offense is also a fourth degree felony in New Jersey as well. Therefore, if convicted, a Defendant would be facing up to 18 months in a State Prison, a fine up to $10,000 and a felony criminal record.
Lewdness Defense Attorneys in Princeton NJ
If you have been arrested and charged with a criminal offense like lewdness, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, heroin distribution, aggravated assault, sexual assault or any other offense for that matter in Mercer County, we can help. We fully understand what a criminal conviction could do to one’s future. If you would like to come into our office and speak to one of our experienced Mercer County criminal defense attorneys then please contact us directly at (609) 789-0779. We try to make ourselves available around the clock as we are aware that these types of offense arise at all hours of the day.