New Jersey Aggravated Sexual Assault Lawyer - N.J.S.A. 2C: 14-2a

The state of New Jersey takes an extremely tough stance against sex crimes. So people who have been charged with aggravated sexual assault should take these accusations very seriously. A conviction could mean spending more than a decade of your life in prison. Even after release, you would be forever branded as a sex offender, making it difficult to find a place to live and get steady work.

When you’ve got this much on the line, you can’t just put your faith in any criminal defense lawyer. You need a seasoned N.J. aggravated sexual assault lawyer who has extensive experience handling these types of offenses. As a former Monmouth County criminal prosecutor-turned-defense attorney, Jason A. Volet has argued more than 2,000 cases in his career. He has a unique perspective into how the prosecution handles these types of cases, and he uses these insights to craft smart defense strategies.

It is important that you do not allow any negative reactions of others to deter you from seeking the committed and vigorous legal representation to which you are entitled.

New Jersey Aggravated Sexual Assault Attorneys

Sexual assault is a severe allegation in its own right and is a second-degree felony. When the crime is elevated to the level of aggravated sexual assault, it becomes a crime of the first degree and the penalties of aggravated assault in New Jersey are likely to be much more substantial.

The following are some factors that may lead to charges of aggravated sexual assault:

• The victim is under the age of 13.
• The victim is aged 13-16 and the accused has a familial or other statute-specified relationship with the minor.
• The assault took place while another crime specified by statute was being committed or attempted.
• The sexual assault involved significant physical force and resulted in physical injury.
• The sexual assault was committed by an individual who held something that was a weapon or could be used as such and threatened to utilize it.
• The victim was apparently incapacitated or helpless, physically or mentally.

What Do I Need to Know If I Was Charged with Aggravated Assault in NJ?

• Aggravated sexual assault is one of the most serious offenses on the books in New Jersey.
• If you are convicted of an aggravated sexual assault you are looking at a minimum of ten to twenty years in state prison.
• You must serve 85% of that sentence before you are eligible for parole.
• You will also be placed on Megan’s Law, and you will be subject to parole supervision for life.
• You do not have the ability to make an application to come off of parole supervision for life after fifteen years.
• The prosecutor’s office is required to prove each and every element of that offense before you can be found guilty.

If you or someone you know is facing charges of sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault, it is important to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Contact New Jersey aggravated sexual assault defense attorney Jason Volet to schedule a Confidential Case Evaluation so that we can learn about your case.

Our Sexual Assault Lawyers Can Help

Our skilled legal team will begin working immediately to identify opportunities to fight the case against you. We may be able to argue to have the aggravated sexual assault charge reduced to a lesser charge or dropped altogether. You can trust our law firm to:

• Review everything that happened leading up to your arrest to determine whether your rights were violated or procedural mistakes were made
• Protect you from aggressive law enforcement officers and prosecutors who want to pressure you into saying things that could be used against you
• Craft a well-thought-out defense that considers all the strategies the prosecution may use at trial and points to reasonable doubt
• Give you the respect and consideration you deserve as you cope with these allegations

If you or a loved one has been accused of aggravated sexual assault, you need to retain an attorney as soon as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and let us help you tell your side of the story.

What Is Aggravated Sexual Assault in New Jersey?

New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2C: 14-2a) defines aggravated sexual assault as an act of sexual penetration with another person which occurs under any one of the following circumstances:

• The victim was younger than age 13.
• The victim was at least age 13 but younger than age 16, and the actor: (1) was related to the victim by blood or affinity to the third degree; (2) had supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim due to the actor’s legal, professional or occupational status: or (3) the actor was a resource family parent, guardian or someone who stands in loco parentis in the victim’s household.
• The actor committed the sexual penetration while committing or attempting to commit (alone or with other people) the crime of robbery, kidnapping, homicide, aggravated assault on another, burglary, arson, or criminal escape.
• The actor was armed with a weapon or any object fashioned in a way that would have led the victim to reasonably believe it was a weapon, and the actor threatened by word or gesture to use the weapon or object.
• One or more people aided or abetted the actor, and the actor used physical force or coercion.
• The actor used physical force or coercion, and the victim suffered severe personal injury.
• The actor knew or reasonably should have known that the victim was physically helpless, mentally incapacitated or had a mental disease or defect which rendered the victim temporarily or permanently incapable of understanding the nature of his or her conduct, including being incapable of providing consent.

New Jersey defines “sexual penetration” under N.J.S.A. 2C: 14-1c as “vaginal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio or anal intercourse between persons or insertion of the hand, finger or object into the anus or vagina either by the actor or upon the actor’s instruction.” Any penetration, however slight, meets this definition.

An accusation of aggravated sexual assault can ruin a person’s reputation. Even though you are supposed to be treated as “innocent until proven guilty” beyond a reasonable doubt, you may feel like the opposite is happening in your case. It can be a frightening, confusing, and frustrating time for you.

At The Law Office of Jason A. Volet, our dedicated New Jersey aggravated sexual assault attorney will treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve. You can count on Jason to listen to your side of the story and develop a strategy for fighting the allegations against you. He will answer any questions you have about your case, and he will prepare you for what to expect at every stage. Schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable criminal defense team today to learn more about how we will fight for you.

What Are the Penalties for Aggravated Sexual Assault in N.J.?

Aggravated sexual assault is a crime of the first degree (the equivalent of a high-level felony). If you are convicted of this offense, you could meet harsh consequences. Anyone who is found guilty of aggravated sexual assault in New Jersey faces:

• Prison time of 10 to 20 years
• No eligibility for parole until 85% of the prison sentence is served
• Registration as a sex offender under Megan’s Law
• Parole supervision for life.

If the victim was younger than age 13, you could serve 25 years to life in prison, with at least 25 years served until you became eligible for parole. (However, the law allows a negotiated plea agreement to be entered in which a person convicted of aggravated sexual assault involving a victim in this age range to serve a prison term of at least 15 years, with no eligibility for parole during that term.)

Any type of criminal conviction can haunt a person for years to come, but an aggravated sexual assault conviction will cast a dark shadow over you for the rest of your life. Our New Jersey aggravated sexual assault attorney will work quickly to identify opportunities to fight the charges against you. Our team will often begin immediate negotiations to reduce or drop the sexual assault charges. We will do everything we can to protect your rights and your future.

Contact our New Jersey sex crimes attorney at The Law Office of Jason A. Volet now to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. You are under no obligation to hire us after this initial meeting, but at least you will walk away with an understanding of your options for fighting the charges against you.

Let Our N.J. Aggravated Sexual Assault Lawyer Help You

Unfortunately, just an allegation of sexual assault or rape is enough to ruin a person’s reputation. But during this difficult time, don’t let yourself be distracted by what people might be saying right now. Instead, focus on your future ─ and that means getting an experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight aggressively for your rights.

At the Law Office of Jason A. Volet, our team truly believes that every client is innocent unless the prosecution can prove otherwise. And although the burden of proof is on them, putting up a strong defense is imperative. Contact our respected New Jersey criminal defense law firm today to get started fighting the charges against you.

We do not charge anything for an initial consultation. And we represent clients throughout South Jersey, including in Freehold, Neptune, Marlboro, Middletown, Wall Township, Manalapan, Howell, Rumson, Red Bank, Ocean Township, Colts Neck, Holmdel, Asbury Park, and throughout Monmouth County.

Visit Our Aggravated Sexual Assault Defense Law Offices