Sex Offenses

Monmouth County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Essex County, Bergen County, Hudson County, Somerset County Ocean County, New Jersey Sex Offenses Criminal Defense Lawyer  

Sex Offense Criminal Defense Attorney in New Jersey 

 If you or your family member have been charged (or think you may be charged) with a sex offense under New Jersey law, you need representation by an experienced New Jersey sex crimes lawyer right away. It is absolutely essential that you do not make any statements to any representative of law enforcement. Insist on invoking your rights to remain silent and to legal representation, and contact Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. immediately at 732-866-1600. 

Dedicated New Jersey lawyer defends clients on a range of charges 

Attorney Clifford E. Lazzaro of Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. routinely handles sex offense cases throughout the Superior Courts of New Jersey and provides rigorous and high-quality representation to his clients. Mr. Lazzaro has an adept knowledge of the elements of a case that must be proven to prosecute a defendant of sex offenses, and therefore understands the potential defenses to assert to disprove these elements or otherwise challenge the charges. A defense can be so convincing that it leads to downgraded charges with defendant’s sentence being reduced or downgraded. A solid defense strategy can even lead to the dismissal of your case altogether.  

 New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer gets Acquittals After Trial for Clients 

• In a case tried by Clifford E. Lazzaro in the Union County Superior Court, the defendant was charged by way of a four (4) count indictment with one count of second degree sexual assault against a minor, one count of second degree attempted sexual assault, one count of third degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of third degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child. Defendant was subject to 85% sentencing of between 5 and 10 years on each second degree count under the No Early Release Act (NERA) and Megan’s Law sentencing. After a two week trial in early August, 2010, the jury deliberated approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes and the defendant was found not guilty on all 4 counts. State v S. R. 

• In a case tried by Clifford E. Lazzaro in the Passaic County Superior Court, the defendant was indicted on second degree sexual assault, fourth degree criminal sexual contact, third degree endangering the welfare of a child, third degree tampering with a witness and fourth degree contempt. After a two-week Jury trial, the Jury returned a verdict of not guilty in one hour and five minutes on second degree sexual assault, fourth degree criminal sexual contact and third degree endangering the welfare of a child. The State dismissed the witness tampering and contempt charges after trial. State v. V.M. 

Monmouth County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Essex County, Ocean County Criminal Defense Lawyer Negotiates Favorable Plea Deals for Clients  

* After conducted a highly destructive cross-examination of the State’s first witness in a Union County Superior Court case where the defendant was indicted and charged with one count of second degree sexual assault and was subject to NERA (85%) sentencing between 5 and 10 years and Megan’s Law sentencing, the State offered to amend (dismiss) the second degree sexual assault count to third degree terroristic threats with a recommendation for a probationary sentence. The Defendant accepted the amended probationary plea which no longer had NERA (85%) and Megan’s Law consequence. State v. F.G 

* In a Passaic County Superior Court case the defendant was indicted and charge The defendant was arrested in March of 2012 and charged with multiple second and third degree sexual offenses against children ages 5 and 6 respectively,  subjecting the defendant to Megan’s law reporting requirements and parole supervision for life (PSL). Mr. Lazzaro filed a motion and brief to suppress the victim’s out of court statements about sexual acts when they were less than 12 years of age pursuant to NJRE 803 (c) (27). Mr. Lazzaro also filed a brief in opposition to the State’s motion to admit in evidence at trial other crimes pursuant to NJRE 404 (b). In the middle of evidentiary hearings, as a result of Mr. Lazzaro’s successful arguments, the State offered the defendant a plea to fourth degree neglect, a non-Megan’s law offense with a recommendation of 6 months in the Passaic County Jail. State v. R. J.-M.  

SEX OFFENSES IN NEW JERSEY 

“Sex offense” can encompass a wide array of conduct, such as: 

• Sexual Assault; 
• Aggravated Sexual Assault; 
• Criminal Sexual Contact; 
• Rape (including “date rape” and statutory rape); 
• Sexual Abuse; 
• Child Molestation; 
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child; 
• Conduct Related to the Use of Computers and the Internet, such as distribution of child pornography and solicitation of a minor; 
• Luring; 
• Sex Crimes that Occur on a School Campus; 
• Public Lewdness and Indecent Exposure; 
• Prostitution (including solicitation and loitering for the purpose of engaging in prostitution); 
• Failure to Register as a Sex Offender; and 
• Violating a Term or Condition of Parole Supervision for Life. 

Clifford E. Lazzaro is a skilled criminal defense lawyer who understands how sex crime accusations are made and how to defend them. Because aggressive criminal defense is all he does, Clifford E. Lazzaro is able to focus on every aspect of the law in this area. The sooner you seek the advice of counsel from his firm, the easier it will be for him to defend you against your charges. 

Penalties for Sex Offenses 

Sex crimes are a matter of degree.  

First degree sex crimes include aggravated sexual assault. A defendant convicted of a first degree sex crime may spend 20 years to life in prison and be subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which means a convicted defendant must serve 85% of their prison term before parole eligibility.  

Second degree sex crimes such as sexual assault and some forms of child endangerment can come with a potential prison term of 10 to 20 years. 

Third degree sex crimes include endangering the welfare of children in some scenarios that involve child pornography or endangerment to a child’s health and wellbeing. Aggravated criminal sexual contact is likewise a third degree crime. Third degree convictions for sex crimes carry a 3 to 5 year prison sentence.  

Fourth degree sex crimes such as criminal sexual contact and lewdness are punishable by up to 18 months in prison. Depending on the alleged victim’s age at the time of the offense, a lewdness charge can also be considered a disorderly persons offense, which could lead to up to 6 months in county jail. 

Depending on the sex crime conviction, a defendant may also be subject to mandatory registration as a sex offender. Some must also be under parole supervision for life (PSL), including lifelong internet and travel restrictions. 

Megan’s Law 

On October 31, 1994, former Governor Christine Todd Whitman signed legislation that mandated that sex offenders register with the state and required that the community is notified in appropriate circumstances. These laws are commonly referred to as “Megan’s Laws.” 

Registration Requirements Under Megan’s Law 

In New Jersey, if you were convicted of a sex crime since Megan’s law went into effect on October 31, 1994, or were serving a sentence as of that date, you are required to register with the state.  Any sex offenders who have repetitive offenses are required to register regardless of the date of the conviction.  If you were convicted of a sex crime in another state, you must register with the State of New Jersey within 10 days of moving to New Jersey, attending a school in New Jersey, or are employed in New Jersey.  If you are moving within the state of New Jersey, you will be required to report a change of address to local police at least 10 days prior to the move. A sex offender’s registration will remain active, and they are required to maintain registration, for the rest of their lives.  Notification to the community will depend on the Tier assessed by the county prosecutor. 

Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Fights Sex Crime Charges Across New Jersey 

Depending upon the type of sex crime alleged, you can be facing years if not decades in prison.  For example, sexual assault charges carry up to ten years’ in prison, while you can be facing up to 20 years if convicted of aggravated sexual assault. 

Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. puts in the hard work necessary to effectively defend our clients. We will: 

• Work to get you quickly released from jail on bail or on your own recognizance, 
• Conduct a detailed investigation in every case to get the evidence needed to successfully fight on your behalf, 
• Closely examine the evidence and process used by the prosecution and law enforcement to determine whether your constitutional rights were violated, such as through an illegal search and seizure or otherwise, 
• Examine whether any forensic evidence, such as a rape case, being used against you is somehow faulty, 
• Analyze the prosecution’s witnesses for credibility issues. 

Contact Our New Jersey Sex Offense Defense Attorney Today 

If you or a loved one is the subject of a sex offense charge, it is imperative to make sure you speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney. At Clifford E. Lazzaro P.C., our New Jersey sex offense charge defense lawyer, Clifford E. Lazzaro, has over 30 years of experience aggressively fighting for the rights of his clients. If you or your family member was charged with a sex offense, he is ready to help. If you would like an initial consultation with a criminal defense lawyer at Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. please call 732-866-1600.