Luring is a serious criminal offense in New Jersey. It is a second degree felony offense, which means that if convicted, a Defendant could be facing up to a decade behind bars. In addition, most Defendants charged with luring in New Jersey also tend to be charged with other serious offenses like endangering the welfare of a child, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, possession of marijuana and aggravated sexual assault. If you have been arrested and charged with any of the aforementioned offenses in Hunterdon or Somerset County it is crucial that you speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Based on the new bail guidelines that came into effect in January of 2017, a Defendant charged with luring may be detained in the county jail without bail, pending trial. But before that can occur, the prosecution must file for and be successful at a Detention Hearing. For more information on detention hearings in New Jersey, please contact one of our Somerset County criminal defense lawyers at (908) 533-1064.
Being charged with a criminal offense can be scary but being charged with a serious crime like luring can be downright terrifying. However, hiring the right criminal defense attorney, one who has handled these types of charges, can go a long way to alleviating some of that stress. Our attorneys have been defending clients accused of crimes in courts throughout New Jersey for years now. Like most other sex offenses, a Defendant charged with luring will most likely have their cases prosecuted by someone assigned to the special victims unit (SVU). That should be a good indication of how serious New Jersey takes these types of charges. If you would like to speak to one of our Somerset County criminal defense attorneys about your options then please contact us at (908) 533-1064. We are well aware that no two clients let alone no two cases are the same. As such, we pride ourselves on being able to adapt our representation to fulfill your needs, whether it be a trial, motion practice or negotiating a favorable plea deal. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact us. We serve all of Somerset and Hunterdon County, including towns like Flemington, Clinton, Raritan, Readington, South Bound Brook, Bound Brook, Plainfield, North Plainfield, Watchung and Bridgewater.
Hunterdon County NJ Luring Defense Attorneys
The crime of luring in essence seeks to prosecute anyone that is alleged to have enticed a child into an isolated area with the underlying intent to commit a crime against the child. In most instances, the “crime” is of the sexual nature, including but not limited to aggravated criminal sexual contact, endangering the welfare of a child, sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault. The crime of “luring” will be governed by NJSA 2C:13-6 in New Jersey. The statute states in pertinent part that:
- A person is guilty of luring if he attempts, via electronic or any other means, to lure or entice a child or one who he reasonably believes to be a child into a motor vehicle, structure or isolated area, or to meet or appear at any other place, with a purpose to commit a criminal offense with or against the child.
In order for a Defendant to be convicted of this offense, the prosecution must prove that:
- The victim is either a child or that the Defendant reasonably believed that they were a child;
- That the Defendant attempted to lure the victim into a motor vehicle, structure or isolated area; &
- That the Defendant’s underlying intentions were to commit a criminal offense with or against the child.
Anyone under the age of eighteen at the time of the incident will be considered a “child” for purposes of this statute. It is also important to note here that according to State v. Perez the crime of luring does not involve an attempt to commit some other substantive offense. Rather, the mere act of trying to entice a child is criminalized.
Will I go to Jail for a Luring Charge in NJ
Luring is a crime of the second degree crime in New Jersey. If convicted, a Defendant could be facing up to a decade in prison, a fine up to $150,000 and a felony criminal record. Furthermore, a Defendant convicted of this offense for a second time shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment that includes a mandatory parole ineligibility period, which must be set between ⅓ to ½ of the sentence or three years whatever is greater.
Bound Brook NJ Luring Attorney
As you can tell from reading above, luring is a very serious offense in New Jersey. The penalties if convicted can be absolutely devastating. If you have been charged with luring, terroristic threats, stalking, harassment, endangering the welfare of a child or aggravated criminal sexual contact in Hunterdon or Somerset County, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. If you would like to set up a free consultation with one of our Somerset County criminal defense attorneys then please contact us at (908) 533-1064. We are available around the clock to help assist in anyway that we can. Also, we serve all of Somerset County including Bedminster, Hillsborough, Manville, Far Hills, Franklin, Clinton, Flemington, Raritan and Readington.