Lewdness
Arrested for Lewdness in Wall New Jersey
The Monmouth Service Area of the Garden State Parkway is the located in Wall and the site of quite a number of lewdness charges each year. The NJ State Police have a special detail that patrols this and other facilities to arrest those engaging in lewd conduct in their cars, in bathrooms and other sites. As a firm that has been practicing in Wall Municipal Court for decades and even has an attorney who has filled in as prosecutor in the town, we are well aware of what it takes to avert this charge. If you have been charged with lewdness in Wall Township, the lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have the tools to help you successful litigate this violation. Call our Wall NJ Office at 732-449-2292 for an immediate free consultation with a lawyer on our defense team.
Wall Township Lewdness Offense
N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4 establishes the offense of lewdness under New Jersey. Lewdness is a disorderly persons offense under this law where the conduct involves a “flagrantly lewd and offensive act” which is likely to cause an anticipated observer to be affronted or alarmed. The charge escalates to a fourth degree crime 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.
This law defines a “lewd act” to include exposing genitals for the purpose of arousal or sexual gratification. The most common behavior falling within this definition is an unwanted act of public masturbation.
A disorderly persons offense for lewdness carries significant consequences that go well beyond the penalties. The criminal record for this charge brings with a stigma of perversion that can follow a person for years. There is also the potential for incarceration in the Monmouth County Jail for up to six months. A fourth degree charge of lewdness results in a fine of up to $10,000 and term of imprisonment that can reach eighteen months.
Wall NJ Lewndess Lawyer
Engaging in lewd conduct clearly has the ability to effect your life if you are caught. The good news is that our lewdness defense attorneys have an excellent track record in defending this offense in Wall Township. To discuss the particular facts of your case with Wall NJ Criminal Attorney at our firm, call us anytime at 732-449-2292.