A doctor from Red Bank has been indicted by a Monmouth County grand jury last week relating to an incident that took place back in May. The Defendant has been indicted on endangering the welfare of a child and criminal sexual contact. According to the reports, the charges stem from an incident back in May while he was treating a patient. It is unclear at this point in time what the specific allegations are but the incident occurred between the Defendant at a seventeen year old at Meridian Pediatric Surgical Associates, which is located in Eatontown. Do to the Defendant’s inherited duty to care for the child based on his status as treating physician, he was most likely indicated as a second degree endangering the welfare of a child. If the Defendant is determined to not to have a legal duty to care for the child then the Defendant would have been indicted on a third degree endangering charge. The difference is huge, a second degree felony endangering the welfare of a child charge is punishable by anywhere from five to ten years in a state prison, a fine up to $150,000 and be subject to Megan’s Law. In addition, all second degree felony convictions in New Jersey carry with them a presumption of incarceration, which means that if convicted, it is almost certain that the Defendant will be sentenced to a term of incarceration. Conversely, a Defendant charged with a third degree endangering the welfare of a child is facing anywhere from three to five years in a state prison, a fine up to $15,000 and Megan’s Law. However, all third degree felony convictions in New Jersey obtain a presumption of non-incarceration. That presumption only applies if the Defendant has no prior criminal history and it can be overcome but it still exists. So, as you can see there is a tremendous difference between a second degree and third degree endangering the welfare of a child. For more information on this offense, please see our Monmouth County sex offense defense lawyers page.
Endangering the Welfare of a Child Charges in Eatontown NJ
Whether you have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, aggravated criminal sexual contact, aggravated sexual assault or possession of child pornography, the attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. If you would like to come into our office for a free face to face consultation, then please contact us directly at (732) 858-6959. We serve all of Monmouth County, including towns like Red Bank, Howell, Holmdel, Middletown, Freehold, Belmar, Manalapan, Atlantic Highlands, Lake Como and Aberdeen.
