Saddle Brook NJ Lewdness Defense Attorneys 

Bergen County NJ Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

Also known as “indecent exposure,” a lewdness charge may be filed when an individual exposes their genitals in a public place. If the indecent exposure occurred near a playground or in the vicinity of children, additional sex crime charges could apply. Unfortunately, many people charged with lewdness are nowhere near sex offenders and many have no criminal record at all. For instance, these cases often happen when someone is drunk and urinates in front of unsuspecting onlookers in a public space. Lewdness can also occur when two people are having sex in view of others, such as in a car while parked in a parking lot or in park. No matter what the case may be, it is important to know the degree of the lewdness charges filed against you and what could befall you if convicted. It is equally crucial to have a well thought out defense strategy for handling these allegations, which is why you should consult with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer before heading to court.

Looking for a Lewdness Lawyer near Hackensack NJ

The Tormey Law Firm in Hackensack, New Jersey is a criminal defense team with lawyers who understand how sex crime accusations are made and how to defend against these allegations. Founding attorney Travis J. Tormey has established a strong reputation throughout the state, in part through his impressive work defending individuals against a wide variety of sex charges, including failure to register under Megan’s Law, sexual assault, and criminal sexual contact

For example,  Mr. Tormey was recently successful in having a wrongfully accused sex offender exonerated in the Ocean County Superior Court after more than a decade. He has also been successful numerous times in having individuals removed from Megan’s Law registration requirements. In addition, during his time at the United States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Tormey worked with the sex crimes unit on federal prosecutions. Due to his impressive experience, Mr. Tormey is considered an authority in this area and has been featured in the Asbury Park Press as a legal resource on sex crimes and Megan’s Law in New Jersey.

At The Tormey Law Firm, regularly representing clients in towns such as Hasbrouck Heights, Little Ferry, and Oakland and concentrating solely on criminal defense provides us with a unique and powerful edge, which we use to benefit our clients every day. With offices conveniently located in the heart of Bergen County, one of our attorneys is always available immediately to provide you with a free consultation. Contact us at (201)-330-4979 to learn more about the charges and penalties you may be facing. Understanding the nature of the charges against you is truly the first step to achieving a positive outcome.

Lewdness Charges in New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4

Lewdness is a criminal offense in New Jersey. It is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4, which provides, in pertinent part:

§ 2C:14-4. Lewdness
a. A person commits a disorderly persons offense if he does any flagrantly lewd and offensive act which he knows or reasonably expects is likely to be observed by other non-consenting persons who would be affronted or alarmed.

b. A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if:

(1) He exposes his intimate parts for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person under circumstances where the actor knows or reasonably expects he is likely to be observed by a child who is less than 13 years of age where the actor is at least four years older than the child.

(2) He exposes his intimate parts for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person under circumstances where the actor knows or reasonably expects he is likely to be observed by a person who because of mental disease or defect is unable to understand the sexual nature of the actor’s conduct.

Degree of Lewdness Charges and Associated Penalties 

As the above statute details, lewdness is either a fourth degree indictable crime or a disorderly persons offense, depending on the circumstances of the alleged crime. This is a very important distinction. A fourth degree indictable offense must be handled at the Superior Court in the county in which the alleged crime occurred. For example, a fourth degree lewdness charge arising out of East Rutherford, NJ must be handled at the Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack. A fourth degree crime is punishable by up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison. By contrast, a disorderly persons lewdness offense arising out of East Rutherford will be handled at the East Rutherford Municipal Court. A disorderly persons charge is punishable by up to six (6) months in the county jail.

 

If you or a loved one has been charged with lewdness or another criminal offense in New Jersey, contact our experienced criminal defense lawyers anytime at (201)-330-4979 for a free consultation.


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If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, disorderly persons offense, or traffic / DWI violation, you have the right to an attorney who will defend you against your charges and fight for your best interests. To learn more about how your attorney can fight to have your charges dismissed or reduced, click a link below to see our video library of legal defenses and strategies.