Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in New Jersey

Sex crimes are some of the most commonly-prosecuted cases in New Jersey. In recent years, court dockets have filled up with individuals who have been accused of sex crimes involving the Internet. Police agencies all over New Jersey set up many different sting operations to catch alleged offenders perpetrating Internet sex crimes. Law enforcement agencies and the courts take Internet sex offenses extremely seriously. Contact our New Jersey internet sex crime lawyer today.

If you have been accused of committing an Internet sex offense, it is critical that you contact a NJ internet sex crime attorney at the Law Office of Jason A. Volet right away. As a former criminal prosecutor, internet sex crime attorney Jason Volet understands how harsh the penalties can be for these types of crimes, as well as the stigma those who are accused face.

Call (732) 702-3785 today to schedule a free consultation, and let our knowledgeable New Jersey Internet sex crimes lawyer review your case and explain all of your legal options.

What Is an Internet Sex Crime?

Internet sex crimes are offenses in which an illegal activity that is sexual in nature is committed online. Although these offenses differ significantly from physical crimes, they still carry harsh penalties that can have a devastating impact on those who are accused.

The four most commonly prosecuted Internet sex crimes in New Jersey are:

Child Pornography:

Found within the criminal statute for endangering the welfare of children, child pornography encompasses several offenses:

• A person commits a third-degree child pornography offense if he or she possesses or views any material, including photographs and video, that depicts a child engaging in sexual acts.
• A person commits a second-degree child pornography offense if he or she stores distribute, or intends to distribute materials depicting a child engaging in sexual acts. It is also a second-degree offense to produce materials depicting a child engaging in sexual acts. This includes taking pictures, filming videos, or using a computer to reconstruct such an image.
• A person commits a first-degree child pornography offense if he or she allows or forces a child to engage in any sexual activity for the purpose of creating pornographic materials.
• Child pornography can also be a federal offense.

Cyberstalking:

Stalking encompasses a wide variety of actions, including:

• Keeping in visual or physical proximity to a person by any means
• Repeat harassment
• Repeat threats
• Interference with property

Cyberstalking usually involves alleged offenses committed by a device.

Engaging in any stalking activities is a fourth-degree offense. Engaging in stalking activities in violation of an existing court order or while on parole or probation is a third-degree offense. It is also a third-degree offense to commit a subsequent stalking offense against the same person.

Cyber-Harassment:

It is illegal to use online communication, including electronic devices and social networking sites, to harass people. Harassment includes:

• Threatening injury
• Threatening property damage
• Attempting to harm the victim emotionally
• Attempting to frighten the victim
• Threatening to commit any crime against a person

Cyber harassment is a crime of the fourth degree. If the alleged offender is an adult over the age of 21 but impersonates a minor in order to cyber-harass a minor, it is a crime in the third degree.

Minors convicted of cyber-harassment may be required to complete a class or training program designed to educate them about the dangers of cyber-harassment and reduce cyber-harassment tendencies.

Revenge Porn:

Referred to as “invasion of privacy” in the New Jersey Revised Statutes, revenge porn occurs when a person observes another person engage in sexual contact or nudity without their consent. This is a crime of the fourth degree.

A person commits a crime of the third degree if he or she records another person engaging in sexual contact or nudity without consent, including via photograph and video. It is also a third-degree crime to distribute, for money or not, any materials depicting a person engaging in sexual contact or nudity without consent.

What Are the Penalties for Internet Sex Crimes in New Jersey?

The possible sentence that a person faces if convicted of an Internet sex crime will depend on the degree of the crime they are charged with. In general, the maximum sentences for NJ internet sex crimes are as follows:

• Crime of the Fourth Degree: Up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
• Crime of the Third Degree: Up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000
• Crime of the Second Degree: Up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000
• Crime of the First Degree: Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000

Some Internet sex crime convictions may also result in a person having to register as a sex offender.

What Should I Do If I’m Accused of a New Jersey Internet Sex Crime?

No matter how confident you are in your innocence, you should say absolutely nothing to any officer or investigator until you have legal representation. People who believe they are innocent often feel compelled to try to personally rebut the allegations, but they can unknowingly make damaging admissions in the course of recounting their version of events.

You should never speak to the police or attempt to contact the alleged victim after being accused of or investigated for an Internet sex crime. The best course of action in these cases is to immediately contact an experienced New Jersey Internet sex crimes defense attorney.

How Can a NJ Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Help Me?

Were you arrested, or do you think that you might be under investigation for an Internet sex crime in New Jersey? Exercise your right to remain silent until you are able to contact the New Jersey sex crime attorney at the Law Office of Jason A. Volet.

Our defense lawyer strongly believes that you are innocent until proven guilty, and the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. We will stand by you during this difficult time and will do everything in our power to get these charges dropped or minimize the impact these allegations will have on your life.

Our attorney can provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call (732) 702-3785 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation. We will review the details of your case for free and explain all your legal options.