Camden County NJ Lewdness Lawyer 

Sex Crimes Defense Attorney with offices in Collingswood, New Jersey

The criminal defense lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall represents clients charged with a range of sexual offenses including aggravated sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, lewdness, and promoting prostitution. In fact, Mr. Marshall has had a number of sex crimes trials over the years and is highly experienced in handling these very sensitive cases. Our firm focuses on the investigation process and employs the services of a retired New Jersey State trooper to gather evidence, write reports, and take witness statements if necessary. Further, one of our attorneys previously worked with the sex crimes unit at the United States Attorney’s Office. Our criminal defense team will sit down with you and draft a comprehensive defense strategy to combat these serious charges. Don’t let these charges (or even the accusation) ruin your life, contact The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall immediately for a free initial consultation at 877-450-8301.

Lewdness in New Jersey 

Lewdness is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4, which provides:

1. A person commits a disorderly persons offense if he does any flagrantly lewd and offensive act which he knows or reasonably expects if likely to be observed by other nonconsenting persons who would be affronted or alarmed.
2. 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.

Notably, municipalities are not precluded by this section from enacting ordinances regulating dress and thereby restricting nudity not amounting to lewdness. See Belmar v. Buckley, 187 N.J. Super. 107 (App. Div. 1982).

Lewdness Penalties in New Jersey 

Lewdness can either be a disorderly persons offense or a fourth degree crime in New Jersey depending on the circumstances of the alleged act. This is a key distinction because a fourth degree crime is a felony punishable by up to 18 months in state prison. A disorderly persons charge, on the other hand, is like a misdemeanor and will be handled in the local Municipal Court in the town in which you were charged. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months in the county jail, a $1,000 fine, and a permanent criminal charge on your record.

Contact a Pine Hill NJ Lewdness Attorney for a Free Consultation

Contact the criminal defense lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall today for immediate assistance at 877-450-8301. The initial consultation is always provided at no cost to you.