New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

With recent news about New Jersey and other states brokering a cooperation deal with MySpace to help protect kids from online predators come questions. Will MySpace reporting really help protect kids? Or will it just provide another venue for false accusation and entrapment? Given the recent national hysteria about New Jersey sexual predators, including the wildly popular Dateline “To Catch a Predator” series, the answer is not yet clear.

Here at Lependorf & Silverstein, we have seen all too many false accusations when it comes to sex crimes. While it’s easy to click a button and claim that somebody has offended or abused you, such accusations are often made out of anger or without basis. What people don’t realize is that a sex abuse claim, even if it is proven invalid, can completely decimate the accused person’s reputation, relationships, and job prospects. All too often, a baseless accusation can destroy an innocent person’s life.

While we hope that the MySpace abuse reporting system results in capturing those who truly intend to exploit children online, we also hope that people use the system as it was intended. Unfortunately, false accusations do happen – and that’s where we come in. We’re among New Jersey’s most aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorneys. We respect each and every client and know how to use the legal system and our vast network of legal resources to construct the defense that’s right for you.

However draconian state and federal law protecting kids online, nothing will ever replace a vigilant parent and a common-sense approach to personal safety. Unfortunately for those who are falsely accused of online solicitation, it’s not so simple. That’s why it’s so important to arm yourself with the right attorney when you face criminal accusations. Have you been accused of a New Jersey crime? Time is of the essence. Call Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free phone consultation.

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http://www.lependorfsilverstein.com/lewd-conduct.shtmlPolice arrested a math teacher from the Vo-Tech School in Sussex County for allegedly having sexual relations with two students. The New Jersey Herald, in an online article reported recently that
Richard Koppenaal a resident of Frankford Township was being held on suspicion of having illegal sexual relations and sexual contact with two of the high school’s students over the course of the last two years. Sparta Township Police and the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office investigations also revealed that the criminal events took place across as many as five different Sussex County towns.

Sussex Tech Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback was quoted in the article stating Koppenaal, 37, is being suspended with pay pending an executive school board decision. Koppenaal who had been with the school for over three years now faces criminal charges including one count of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of fourth-degree sexual contact. His bail amount has been set at $100,000 bail with Superior Court Judge N. Peter Conforti refusing to lower it. Judge Conforti also ruled Koppenaal to keep away from the school and from its students including the alleged victims, the paper reported.

In our experience at Lependorf & Silverstein, having successfully defended many professionals, we know a false accusation is always possible. Our defense attorneys conduct their own investigations in each case and ensure every piece of evidence is examined in the effort to clear the client.

From the judge's ruling in the above case it is clear the consequences for such an arrest and any indictments that may happen later, will be far reaching and damaging to one’s image in the community. It is crucial you call the offices of Lependorf & Silverstein immediately when facing sex crime charges.

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A Phillipsburg Middle School teacher’s aide is under investigation after he was charged with possession of child pornography. Detectives took James Leonarczyk’s personal computer from his home, according to a news report in the New Jersey Star-Ledger. The 40-year-old aide was arrested Friday after officials served a search warrant and confiscated the computer, which reportedly had the pornographic images.

According to officials, their investigation of another computer user in Rhode Island led them to Leonarczyk, the article stated. Detectives are now talking to students and examining Leomarczyk’s demeanor with students and of course the possibility of whether there are any victims. An eighth grade teacher’s aide, Leonarczyk was also a soccer coach outside the school district.

So far, officials say they haven’t found indications of inappropriate behavior or abuse on his park. But they have left the door open for more charges in this case, the article said. Leonarczyk, who has been released on his own recognizance, has been suspended but not removed from his job at the school district. School officials are not releasing any other information because a personnel matter is protected and confidential and not a public record.

Although possession of child pornography may not be as serious a crime as sexual assault, child abuse or rape, it will have serious consequences on your life and career. Anyone of convicted of possession of child pornography will be required to register as a sex offender although it will be under a category not visible to the public as part of the Megan’s Law database.

Continue reading "Teacher’s Aide Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography" »

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