Criminal Sexual Contact Attorney

Criminal sexual contact charges occur when there is a "sexual contact" between two people and certain circumstances exist that make the contact criminal. For example, force or the fact that the victim is beneath a certain age can make the sexual contact criminal. There are many different circumstances that can cause a sexual touching to result in criminal sexual contact or aggravated criminal sexual contact.

My name is Anthony N. Palumbo, former county and municipal court prosecutor, current public defender with personally over 35 years of experience practicing criminal law at the firm Palumbo & Renaud. I have extensive experience handling the defense of sex crimes and have obtained relief for those people facing charges involving criminal sexual contact. I understand the severity of sexual crimes, and how embarrassing these charges can be. We are here to help you and your family get through the legal process. I know what needs to get done and I make sure that criminal sexual contact charges are handled with the right balance of aggressive litigation and sensitivity.

I defend individuals accused of sex crimes throughout New Jersey in Middlesex County, Essex County and Union County including the towns of Mountainside, Hillside, Plainfield, Clark, Elizabeth, Cranford, Linden, Roselle, Roselle Park, Westfield, Rahway, Garwood, and Scotch Plains.

You will be comforted in knowing I can help you in your sex crime charge.
Hiring an experienced sex crime defense attorney has great advantages in court.
Free Initial Consultation ▪ 1-866-664-8118
Consultation by phone or in person, 24/7

What is Sexual Contact?

Sexual contact is an intentional touching (under or over clothing) of a person's sexual organs, genital area, anal area, inner thigh, groin, butt or breast, committed with the purpose of degrading the victim OR sexually arousing the toucher. It can also occur if the actor touches himself while the victim is watching. Sexual contact by itself is not criminal. It must be combined with one of the behaviors laid out below in order for it to become a criminal act.

What Makes the Sexual Contact Criminal?

Under N.J.C.A. 2C:14-3, an actor is guilty of criminal sexual contact if he commits an act of sexual contact with the victim AND one of the circumstances below exists.

• The actor uses physical force or coercion, but the victim does not sustain severe personal injury;
• The victim is on probation or parole, or is detained in a hospital, prison or other institution and the actor has supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the actor's legal, professional or occupational status;
• The victim is at least 16 but less than 18-years-old and the actor is related to the victim by blood or affinity to the third degree; or the actor has supervisory or disciplinary power of any nature or in any capacity over the victim; or the actor is a resource family parent, a guardian, or stands in loco parentis within the household;
• The victim is at least 13 but less than 16-years-old and the actor is at least four years older than the victim

Penalties for Criminal Sexual Contact

Criminal sexual contact is a third degree charge and if a person is convicted of this crime they will face 3 to 5 years in prison, and serious fines. Additionally, the person will be required to register under New Jersey's Megan's law which is a lifelong notification system in which the local community where the offender lives is provided with his personal information and details about the crime for which he was convicted. It is important to have an experienced attorney so that the lifelong stigma of Megan's law can be avoided.

Why a Criminal Sexual Contact Attorney?

It is always important to have an attorney no matter what the charge. Attorneys may cost money, but the right attorney can lower your costs by cutting the heavy fines associated with criminal charges, so you actually end up saving. Anytime a person is charged with a sex crime, it is even more crucial to have a lawyer. Sex crimes carry heavy stigmas and if they are not handled properly from the beginning, they can ruin your life and your reputation, even if you are later acquitted. I have been successfully defending individuals charged with sex crimes for over 35 years, and I will get you the results you need to move forward with your life.

Contact me for a Free Consultation at 1-866-664-8118.
For more information about crimes against children, visit my other pages
Child Endangerment ▪ Child Sexual Abuse ▪ Child Molestation ▪ Union County Child Sexual Assault ▪ Union County Crimes against Children ▪ Child Pornography