Top Raritan, NJ Statutory Rape Lawyers Near You
Former New Jersey Prosecutors Defending Your Rights. Call Today!
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Experienced, Aggressive, Criminal Defense including DUIs in all New Jersey Courts. 24 HOUR AVAILABILITY.
Free Consultation
142 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Other Nearby Offices
In Raritan, New Jersey area, Weisberg & Klauber, LLC can help clients with their Statutory Rape needs.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
501 Grand Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
If you need Statutory Rape help in New Jersey, contact Law Ofiice of Prosper A. Bellzia, a local practice in Raritan, for legal representation.
Free Consultation
470 Grant Ave, Oradell, NJ 07649
Clients needing legal solutions for Statutory Rape can connect with Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi, a local New Jersey practice.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
501 Watchung Avenue, Watchung, NJ 07069
Other Nearby Offices
Assisting with Statutory Rape issues in Raritan and across New Jersey.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
21 Main Street, Suite 200W, Hackensack, NJ 07601
For legal issues concerning Statutory Rape, let Sutnick & Sutnick, LLC, a local practice in Raritan, New Jersey, help you find a solution.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
600 Valley Rd, Suite 205, Wayne, NJ 07470
The Law Office of Robert J. Cascone helps Raritan clients with their Statutory Rape needs.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
25 Main St, Court Plaza North, Suite 501, Hackensack, NJ 07601
51 John F. Kennedy Parkway, First Floor West, Short Hills, NJ 07078
1037 Raymond Blvd, Suite 900, Newark, NJ 07102
50 Park Place, Suite 1101, Newark, NJ 07102
60 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
703 Richmond Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
6 Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
7 Glenwood Ave, East Orange, NJ 07017
70 S Orange Avenue, Suite 150, Livingston, NJ 07039-4914
96 Newark Pompton Turnpike, PO Box 360, Little Falls, NJ 07424
1 Pelican Drive, Suite 6 - Second Floor, Bayville, NJ 08721
685 Van Houten Ave, Clifton, NJ 07013
201 Washington St., Newark, NJ 07102
378 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
15 Mountain Blvd, Warren, NJ 07059
165 East Main Street, Denville, NJ 07834
100 East Hanover Avenue, Suite 201, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927
301 Route 17 N, Suite 211, Rutherford, NJ 07070
One Gateway Center, Suite 1510, Newark, NJ 07102
Raritan Statutory Rape Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Statutory Rape attorneys in Raritan and checks their standing with New Jersey bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
State Required Disclosure: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
What Is Statutory Rape?
Statutory rape is sexual intercourse or sexual contact with someone who is below the age of consent (which varies from state to state). Someone below the age of consent cannot legally consent to a sexual relationship, even if they give verbal consent. It is not up to the underage individual whether or not to press statutory rape charges. The prosecutor can charge a defendant with statutory rape offenses without the alleged victim’s consent.
The penalties for statutory rape depend on the jurisdiction. Statutory rape can be charged as rape, sexual abuse of a minor, or other sexual offenses. Criminal penalties may depend on a number of aggravating and mitigating factors, including:
- Age of the victim
- Age difference between the parties involved
- Type of sexual activity
- Giving the victim alcohol or drugs
How Is Rape Different From Statutory Rape?
Rape is unlawful sexual intercourse. Rape can be committed through force, coercion, or when the victim cannot give consent. For example, someone who is passed out or drugged may not have the mental state to consent to sexual penetration. With statutory rape, the victim cannot give consent because the law does not consider them to be old enough to give legal consent.
With underage sexual intercourse, it does not matter what the underage person does or says. The underage individual may be encouraging or pursuing sex but they still cannot give legal consent. If the underage person says they will not tell anyone, the defendant can still be charged if law enforcement officers find out about the sexual relationship.
In some cases, parents or guardians may be okay with a sexual relationship between the defendant and their minor child. However, it does not matter if the parents give consent or the victim says that it is okay. If a teacher, counselor, or other friend’s parent finds out about the sexual relationship and reports it, the police can still make an arrest for rape or sexual assault.
What Is the Age of Consent?
The age of consent is 16 to 18, depending on the state. However, the defendant’s age may also be considered in statutory rape charges. There may need to be a sufficient age differential between the victim and the defendant, if the victim is above an age minimum. There may also be a minimum age of the defendant in order to prosecute someone for statutory rape. Contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to understand the legal defense strategies in your case.
How Much Jail Time Can a Person Get for Statutory Rape?
In most cases, statutory rape or sexual assault of a minor is a felony offense. The felony penalties for a statutory rape conviction may include more than a year in prison. When the minor victim is under a certain age, the prison sentence can be much longer, including up to life imprisonment.
In addition to jail time and fines, statutory rape may be considered a “registerable offense.” After the defendant serves their sentence and is released from jail, they may have to register with local law enforcement agencies as a sex offender. Sex offenders have mandatory registration every year or whenever they move.
Sex offenders are put on a database that is public information and can be searched by the defendant’s name or search location. The sex offender registry may have identifying information, including:
- Name
- Photograph
- Physical description
- Address
- Sex crime
Is It a Defense if Someone Lied About Their Age?
In some cases, it may be a defense if the defendant had an honest and reasonable belief that the victim was over the age of consent. However, simply claiming the victim lied about their age may not be enough. It can help the defendant’s case if there are factors supporting their claim, including:
- Victim had a fake I.D. and claimed an older age
- Victim was in a place where minors are not generally present, including a bar
- There were other witnesses who were told and thought the victim was older
However, even if the defendant has substantial evidence of a reasonable belief of the age of consent, there may be a bar to this defense if the victim is under a certain age. If you have questions about this or other legal defenses, talk to a sex crimes defense attorney.
Can You Sue for Statutory Rape?
For criminal statutory rape laws, it is up to the prosecutor to bring criminal charges. The victim is not required to support criminal charges and the victim cannot drop criminal charges. Even if the victim comes to the defendant’s defense, the prosecutor can still pursue a felony conviction.
The victim of statutory rape may be able to file a civil complaint against the defendant for civil penalties. A civil cause of action may allow the victim to recover damages from the defendant, including monetary compensation.
Do You Need a Statutory Rape Lawyer?
There are severe penalties associated with a statutory rape charge, including harsh prison sentences and lifetime sex offender registration. A criminal defense attorney can provide an aggressive defense strategy to help you avoid criminal charges. Contact an experienced attorney for legal advice.