New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

A recent New Jersey Star-Ledger article reports that a 27-year-old man is suspected of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The man was charged with multiple charges including second degree luring via electronic means, second degree sexual assault, and fourth degree sexual contact.

The girl told police that she met the man in a Kids Chat. Allegedly, he told her that he was 15-years-old and used the pseudo name, “Slave.” The suspect denies engaging in sexual acts with the girl and knowing the girl’s age.

Police say that the girl told them that she engaged in two sexual acts with the suspect. They arrested the suspect after finding him driving with the girl in the passenger seat.

The penalties for New Jersey sexual assault with a minor include imprisonment, legal fines, and the permanent registration as a sex offender under New Jersey’s Megan’s Law. To make matters worse, sexual assault charges with a minor often carry a negative stigma and severe damage to one’s reputation within one’s community, regardless of whether a suspect has actually been convicted.

If you have been charged with a sexual assault crime in New Jersey, you should take immediate action and hire an attorney to provide you with the benefit of a strong defense. The New Jersey sexual assault defense attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein are skilled in defending our clients against serious sexual assault charges and may even be successful in helping you get the charges dismissed completely. Contact our office today for your free legal consultation by calling 609-240-0040.

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The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports that a 44-year-old man from Wharton has been arrested for sexual assault against a minor. This is the second time the man from Morris County is facing sex crime charges in this case. This same case was previously dropped during the investigation when the girl recanted her allegations. Now years later, the girl has reaffirmed her prior allegations. She claims that her family was under duress during the previous investigation. The accused man is currently being held on a $150,000 bail and faces a second-degree charge of sex assault and child endangerment.

New Jersey sex crimes have serious consequences. Convictions for sexual assault carry lengthy prison sentences, fines and the stigma of being labeled a sex offender. Convicted sex offenders must register as a New Jersey sex offender in a database and usually carry that title with them wherever they go.

When a sex offense case is dropped and then reopened, it typically brings into question the validity of the allegation. It also raises questions about the credibility of the person who is making the allegation. False allegations in sex crime cases can be almost just as damaging to the accused as a conviction for the offense. Often in these cases, schoolteachers, babysitters and even parents can find themselves facing charges over assumptions and misinterpretations.

Continue reading "Man Charged with Sexual Assault of 11-Year-Old Girl" »

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A 32 year-old man was indicted for allegedly having sex with a female high school student. The Courier Post reports that the alleged sexual assault took place between September 2008 and April 2009. The high school teacher faces one count of official misconduct and four counts of sexual assault.

New Jersey sexual assault charges, particularly when they involve minors, can have serious consequences. A person accused of a sex crime or sexual assault may face jail time, fines and social repercussions. Often in cases involving teachers and minors, the accused may lose their livelihood over accusations that may not even be valid. Accused teachers may lose their job and even those found innocent may have difficulty finding another job in the future. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help minimize the damage these cases can have on your career and livelihood.

New Jersey Criminal Code section 2C: 14-2 defines sexual assault as a second-degree criminal offense. Children under the age of 16 cannot give consent and those under the age of 18 cannot consent to sexual activity with someone in a supervisory position. This means that any sexual activity between a teacher and underage student is a serious crime. Even a false accusation can cost a teacher his or her career.

Continue reading "High School Teacher Indicted for Sexual Assault" »

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The recent arrest of a man in Virginia for indecent exposure has left many citizens across the U.S. with different reactions as to what characterizes intentional and accidental exposure of one’s private parts when in the confines of one’s own home. According to a northjersey.com article, Fairfax police are saying that the man “wanted to be noticed…positioning himself so that the mother and child would see him not once, but twice.” The accused man claims that he never saw the 45-year-old woman and her 7-year-old child as they walked by his suburban house and spotted him in the nude through the window. Nevertheless, if the man is convicted, he may face a sentence of up to one year in jail for indecent exposure.

It is clear that this case may present some complex issues given the often blurred separating, or differing interpretations, of what constitutes private and public space, especially in instances where the windows of a house may not have blinds or curtains to hide inside activity from the outside.

Continue reading "Man Charged with Indecent Exposure for Being Nude in his House" »

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The Internet has countless purposes and is used in practically every household on a daily basis. However, as a recent Internet sex crime demonstrates, what you do with your spare time on your private computer may not be as private as you think.

A recent report from northjersey.com discussed the case surrounding a well-known and liked Maywood chiropractor who has been sentenced to five years for luring underage girls on the Internet through sexual conversations. One of the girls whom he had arranged to have sex with was only 15 years old. Unbeknownst to him, the young girl happened to be an undercover cop, and the man was about to be arrested. The 2004 undercover sting operation placed the man in custody, although the case has not been settled until now due to pre-trial motions.

According to the report, the judge called the convicted sex offender “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” since he played an active role in the community leading food drives and providing free chiropractic care to the underprivileged, yet led a completely different type of lifestyle within the privacy of his own home. In the end, the man pleaded guilty to two counts of luring, in addition to a weapons offense for an illegal gun contained in a vault at his home. He was then sentenced to three years for the weapon offense, to run in tandem with the five year sentence for the luring offenses.

Being charged with a sex crime can turn a person’s life upside down. Especially when a sex offense involves minors, societal scorn can have irreversible influences on a person’s reputation, as well as tarnishing the name of his or her family. In addition to these consequences, sex crime convictions have the potential to impose severe penalties such as lengthy jail sentences, sex offender registration, and steep fines that can leave the accused in debt. In order to ensure that all of your Constitutional rights are protected under the law, it may be in your best interest to seek the services of a skilled New Jersey sex crime defense attorney.

Continue reading "Two Sides to One Man: Well-Known Chiropractor Sentenced for Sex Crimes" »

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Just when you thought the local community pool was safe, an incident of sexual assault has occurred, one which will undoubtedly offset the ease of parents. A 15-year-old has to be charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy. The teen allegedly sexually assaulted the young boy in a men’s bathroom at the Roy K. Harkness Community Pool in Middlesex Borough. The name of the New Jersey boy accused of sexual assault has not been released because of his age. According to a report, he was taken into custody August 11, 2009 and charged as a juvenile for both endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated sexual assault.

Incidents such as this raise many questions regarding child abuse and the reasons why this young 15-year-old would have committed such a crime. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, one in six women and one in thirty-three men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Sexual assault accusations are very serious, requiring extensive investigations to ensure that proper evidence is collected and examined. The consequences surrounding a child sexual assault conviction can influence a person’s life in negative ways indefinitely, whether due to social stigma, significant jail time, sex crime registration, large fines, or loss of employment.

Continue reading "Middlesex Borough Sexual Assault at Community Pool" »

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A 41-year-old New Jersey martial arts teacher pleaded guilty to having sex with two of his underage female students, according to a report. The teacher was also a New York City police officer who was suspended from the department following his arrest. The man pleaded guilty to three counts of transporting minors across state lines for the purpose of having sex with them, which is a felony under the federal Mann Act. The man met the victims through his martial arts studios in West Milford, New Jersey and Middletown, the report said.

The man faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison for one count of the New Jersey sex crimes covered by his plea and 10 years for each of the other two counts. The five-year sentence involves a case from 2003 when the man reportedly drove a 14-year-old girl from Brooklyn to Middletown via New Jersey. By 2006, when the man reportedly had sex with two other minors, Congress had increased the penalties for the federal Mann Act violations, which is why he faces 10-year mandatory minimums for the 2006 crimes.

Continue reading "Karate Instructor, Former Cop Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Students" »

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A national coalition of government partners researching the effects of DNA testing on crime solving has demonstrated the power of this scientific method with a series of case studies on criminal activity in New Jersey.

Partners in the DNA Initiative include the National Institute of Justice, the Office on Violence against Women, the Office on Community Oriented Policing Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

What this project is finding is that DNA evidence could go a long way toward helping to shed light on some of the worst offenders that currently escape police dragnets.

As part of its outreach website, the DNA Initiative has identified a set of “preventable rapes” in cases in the Essex County and Trenton communities and in other parts of the state.

In one observation, the case study shows how a criminal who committed three rapes in New Jersey within Essex County could have been identified and apprehended after the first offense through DNA testing for previous legal violations.

What the New Jersey Case Studies show is that DNA evidence could be highly effective in crime solving. However, some of the newest methods are not always employed in law enforcement due to budget constrictions or other factors.

Continue reading "National DNA Initiative Shines Light on New Jersey Crime Prevention" »

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New Jersey Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt has introduced legislation aimed at curtailing "sexting" that involves young girls and boys sending racy and often, nude pictures of themselves online including sending explicit photos over their phone. According to this Associated Press report, the actions of these teens technically amount to distribution of child pornography, a New Jersey sex crime charge that could carry severe, lifelong penalties for these young people.

Under Lampitt's proposal, juveniles caught sending sexually explicit photographs via their cell phones will not face criminal prosecution. Instead, it would create an educational program in which participants would learn about the potential state and federal legal consequences and penalties for sexting. The program will also teach teens about the personal consequences including the effects of sexting on relationships, school-life and ruined future career and educational opportunities. Under the proposed legislation, it would be up to prosecutors to determine who can or cannot be admitted into this educational program. Juveniles who successfully complete this program will avoid trial or criminal record.

Continue reading "New Jersey Legislation Aims to Curtail Sexting" »

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New Jersey sex crimes carry extremely serious consequences. If you are convicted of a New Jersey sex crime, you not only face the possibility of a lengthy incarceration, but also the stigma attached to a convicted sex offender and the requirement to register for life as a sex offender on a state and national sex offender database. Repeat sex offenders risk facing increased prison time and stiffer penalties.

ABC News reports in an article that a convicted sex offender in New Jersey was recently arrested and charged with molesting a boy. The arrested individual was a convicted, registered sex offender and he is now accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old boy when he was forbidden from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. He was charged this time with two counts of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of the child.

False allegations are an unfortunate reality when it comes to child sexual abuse accusations. Healthcare workers, school teachers, babysitters and even parents can find themselves facing charges of child sexual abuse. In many cases, actions can be misinterpreted and assumptions may be made that aren't true.

Continue reading "New Jersey Sexual Assault Charges Against Man" »

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Juveniles around the country are now facing the risk of acquiring sex offender status for posting naked pictures of themselves on MySpace. This may sound hard to believe, but it happened to a 14-year-old New Jersey girl earlier this year when she was accused of child pornography for posting 30 explicit nude pictures of herself on MySpace.com, according to this news report. If convicted, this young girl could be forced to register as a sex offender in New Jersey.

This is apparently not an isolated incident. Prosecutors nationwide are pursuing child pornography cases resulting from teenagers sending nude photos to one another over cell phones and e-mail, a phenomenon which is now known as "sexting." The New Jersey girl reportedly posted the explicit photos of herself because she wanted her boyfriend to see them. The 14-year-old girl was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. The consequences she faces if convicted are up to 17 years in jail and sex offender registration.

Obviously this teen and others like her need counseling and help, not jail time. This type of an offense should not fall under Megan's Law that requires the teen to register as a sex offender.

Continue reading "New Jersey Teen Faces Child Pornography Charges" »

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A recent WABC-TV New York article reports that a New Jersey school bus driver has been accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. Law enforcement officials from Morris County, New Jersey claim that Edward M. Comperchio, 74, of Hopatcong, was arrested at his home on Wednesday, May 27, 2009. According to a statement issued by Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi, Comperchio allegedly parked his school bus before making his scheduled rounds and assaulted the 12-year-old on the bus. Byram Bus Lines confirmed that Comperchio is an employee of the company but law enforcement authorities declined to name the school that the 12-year-old alleged New Jersey sex crime victim attends.

Comperchio is currently being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility on $100,000 bail. A spokesman for Byram Bus Lines, Alan Mackerly Jr, said that the alleged sexual assault charges came as a shock to the company’s personnel. He said, "This is something that hit us out of the blue. My understanding is that this is under criminal investigation and we are cooperating with the authorities and the school board."

Sex crimes in New Jersey are covered by Chapter 2C of the Criminal Code. According to New Jersey law: An actor is guilty of sexual assault if he or she commits an act of sexual contact with a victim who is less than 13 years old and the actor is at least four years older than the victim.

The New Jersey Criminal Code defines sexual assault as a second degree crime which can result in the following criminal penalties:

• Steep fines


• Imprisonment in a New Jersey State Prison of up to 7 years


• Probation


• Parole


• Mandatory registration as a sex offender


• Publication of the offender’s name on the Internet as a registered sex offender


• Restrictions on where they can live


• And other criminal penalties

Continue reading "New Jersey Bus Driver Accused of Sexually Assaulting Girl" »

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A New Jersey grandfather is being held without bail on child pornography charges, according to this CBS news report. Officials say 66-year-old Thomas Elgert spent months preying on children, collecting naked pictures of them and trading them with sex offenders on the Internet. Elgert has been arrested on suspicion of attempted sexual exploitation of children – specifically production – and distribution of child pornography.

Undercover federal agents apparently apprehended Elgert by posing online as child molesters. In charging documents, agents accuse Elgert of asking an undercover detective to send him pictures of the detective having sex with his two young children and the family pet. Investigators believe Elgert may have molested children as well and are asking anyone who may have had close contact with him to come forward.

Sex crimes in New Jersey, especially those involving children, can have extremely serious consequences. Possession of child pornography can be charged as a state or a federal crime. In this case, it has been charged as a federal crime because it involved an FBI investigation. If you have been charged with possession of child pornography or any other sex crime charge, you would be well-advised to get an experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney on your side as soon as possible.

In any sex crime case, it is important that the defense begin a thorough and independent investigation right away. A sex crime charge, even if it doesn't end in a conviction, can mar your reputation and destroy your personal life and standing in the community. The stakes are extremely high. Punishment can involve jail or prison time, steep fines and requirement to register as a sex offender. If you have been arrested on suspicion of a sex crime in New Jersey, please contact the skilled New Jersey sex crime defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein for a free case evaluation.

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A Secaucus accountant has been sentenced to five years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to luring young boys to various locations in Wayne and photographing them performing sexual acts, according to a story from the Bergen County Record. Michael Findlay, 38, of Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested on February 23, 2007 after an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, which began after one of the boys' parents tipped off officials.

Authorities conducted surveillance outside Findlay's workplace and observed him picking up two 13-year-old boys to whom he had offered $100 per meeting. The photographing sessions were apparently being held at a hotel in Wayne and at other locations, officials said. Findlay was charged with 15 counts of second-degree child endangerment, seven counts of luring or enticing a child, one count of attempted sexual assault, four counts of fourth-degree child endangerment and five counts of criminal sexual conduct. The charges involved five male victims, all younger than 16.

Sex crime charges in New Jersey are not only damaging and humiliating to an accused offender, but they also have the most serious consequences, especially if the alleged crimes involve children. A person facing sex crime charges could lose his or her job. Their reputation could be tainted even if they are not convicted.

If you are convicted of a sex crime, you face time in prison, a significant amount of money in fines and attorneys' fees and required registration as a sex offender for the rest of your life. Please do not let this happen to you. Get an aggressive and skilled New Jersey sex crime attorney on your side right away. Please call Lependorf & Silverstein today to discuss your case.

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New Jersey’s Supreme Court reinstated child sexual assault convictions recently for a man who claimed that his confession should not have been presented in his trial. According to details in this news report, John Nyhammer's 2003 convictions on aggravated sexual assault in New Jersey and child endangerment charges had been overturned when an appeals court ruled that he had not voluntarily waived his rights against self-incrimination.

Investigating detectives say that they obtained a waiver of Miranda rights signed by Nyhammer while they were interviewing him. The detectives questioned Nyhammer about whether or not his uncle had sexually abused a younger relative and asked if Nyhammer had suffered abuse as a child. They told him that the younger relative had made allegations against him and Nyhammer later admitted making inappropriate contact. This admission was presented in court and Nyhammer was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

But the conviction was overturned by an appeals court that said that the confession has been involuntary. In a unanimous decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court disagreed saying, "The defining event triggering the need to give Miranda warnings is custody, not police suspicions concerning an individual's possible role in a crime."

Continue reading "New Jersey Sex Assault Confession Allowed by Supreme Court" »

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Police in Rutherford, New Jersey, arrested 40-year-old Cesar Pajares on suspicion of fondling a teenage girl over a three-year period, the Bergen County Record reports. The girl, now 16, apparently told police in February that Pajares fondled her in a Rutherford home while she was between the ages of 13 and 16. Pajares, who is married and works as an optician, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault in New Jersey, one count of aggravated criminal sexual contact and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Sex crime charges, especially when it relates to young children or minors, can have extremely serious consequences. A person who is accused of a sex crime in New Jersey – be it lewd conduct, rape, sex abuse or assault – is facing grave consequences including a lengthy prison term, loss of job, social life and the requirement to register for the rest of his or her lifetime as a sex offender. Society will view these people for the rest of their lives as "predators."

If you believe you have been falsely accused of a sex crime or child sex abuse in New Jersey, please call an experienced Princeton sex crime defense lawyer to discuss your case right away. It is critical that you have skilled legal representation to defend your rights and keep your record clean. A skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorney may be able to get your charges dismissed, reduce your fines or your jail sentence. If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex crime, please call Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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A massage parlor worker in Wayne is facing prostitution charges, the Bergen County Record reports. The arrest came after a Wayne Police Special Operations Unit and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office executed a search warrant at the Eastern Cozy Spa on Hamburg Turnpike. Xiang Shu Jin, 48, was reportedly charged with two counts of receiving money for performing sexual favors. The arrest was made after a lengthy investigation, surveillance and undercover work by police, the news report stated.

Prostitution in New Jersey is defined as “sexual activity with another person in exchange for something of economic value or the offer or acceptance of an offer to engage in sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value.” Prostitution is punishable in New Jersey with a jail sentence, fines and other penalties.

Continue reading "Wayne Sex Crime of Prostitution Charges Against Massage Parlor Worker" »

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Police in Ocean City have arrested Gregory Hoyle, a 19-year-old man on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, according to this news report. The alleged assault occurred at a Mercer Place home the evening of January 31, 2009. Hoyle has reportedly been charged with sexual assault and is currently been held in Cape May County Jail.

Sex crimes, especially those that involve juveniles or children, can have tremendous consequences for the defendant. Crimes that involve sexual activities or that are sex-related are considered “sex crimes” in New Jersey. Some examples of sex crimes are sexual assault, rape and lewd conduct. If you have been accused of committing a sex crime, it is very important that you have skilled legal representation to protect your legal rights.

Continue reading "Ocean City Man Arrested On Suspicion of Sexually Assaulting 14-year-old Girl" »

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A New Jersey court has thrown out a conviction in a sex abuse case because of comments a Bergen County sheriff’s officer made to jurors, according to this news report. Roy Hermalyn, who was an assistant school superintendent, was convicted in November 2007 of official misconduct. Prosecutors said he sexually touched a student and endangered the welfare of another.

After a one-month trial, jurors acquitted him of 23 counts and convicted him of four. Hermalyn was facing up to 10 years in prison. But a day after the verdict, one of the jurors told a defense attorney that a sheriff’s officer assigned to the courtroom told them that the jury had to be unanimous in its verdict. So the jury felt as if they had to decide and “come up with an answer.” Defense attorneys filed motions to dismiss the case. The state appeals court ruled that the officer’s comment was enough to warrant a new trial.

Continue reading "New Jersey Appeals Court Throws Out Sex Abuse Conviction" »

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A Superior Court judge opted to send a 20-year-old man convicted of sexually assaulting two young boys to an inpatient treatment program instead of handing him down a prison sentence. According to this news report in the New Jersey Star Ledger, Judge John Dangler agreed with Alexander Willadsen’s defense attorney that Willadsen should be sent to a treatment facility instead of getting a 10-year prison sentence, which was recommended by prosecutors.

Dangler reportedly heard testimony from a mental health expert and the head of the treatment facility before coming to a decision. Willadsen reportedly has an I.Q. of 75, just five points above the threshold for mental retardation. He was also sexually assaulted at the age of 11. Willadsen confessed to fondling two young boys over nine months in 2006 when he was 18 and also abused other young boys when he was a juvenile, according to court records. The decision to send Willadsen to a treatment facility was also apparently supported by the victims’ families.

Sometimes in DUI cases, and rarely in sex crime cases, judges will agree to sentence a defendant to spend time at a treatment facility rather than send them to prison. In this case, Judge Dangler must have been convinced that the defendant, victims and the taxpayers of New Jersey will be better served by Willadsen getting help, than making a more hardened criminal of him by sending him to prison for 10 years.

If you or someone you know has been arrested on suspicion of a sex crime, please call experienced New Jersey sex crime attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation and case discussion. We have obtained alternative sentencing for many of our clients. Our goal is to fight for your innocence, to keep you out of prison and to get you the help you need if you truly have a problem that requires professional assistance.

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Hamilton Township police have arrested a man who they say molested a 12-year-old girl inside a local Acme Supermarket on October 19, 2008. According to a CBS News report, the incident captured on the store’s surveillance camera, happened when the young girl got separated from her mother inside the store. A store employee reportedly saw the man touching the girl’s buttocks and told CBS that clearly “this is a child predator, it was no accidental touching.”

New Jersey sex crime detectives apparently arrested this man, whom they have not yet identified, after examining the grocery store surveillance video and comparing those images to photos on the Megan’s Law sex offender registry. The store’s camera also captured video of the man leaving in a two-tone blue and tan 1990 model minivan, the news report stated.

In any criminal defense, the evidence is a critical element of the case. In this case, the store surveillance video will be treated as the main piece of evidence. Surveillance video has been challenged in many cases, especially those involving robbery, sex crimes or other violent crimes. The most common problem with this type of evidence is mistaken identity.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a sex crime in New Jersey, please call an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein. We will work hard to make sure and get the best possible result in your case. Call us today to discuss your case and start building your defense.

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Maria Fernandez, 53, a Jersey City bus driver who transports developmentally disabled people, was arrested on sex charges in New Jersey for instructing one of her passengers to touch another inappropriately. According to a recent article in The Jersey Journal, Central Avenue resident Fernandez was charged with aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person and arrested in Bergen County.

The report said Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli set Fernandez’ bail amount at $35,000. Fernandez, who is a driver for the Amity Bus Company in Jersey City, has been ordered to have no contact with the victims.

Among criminal defense cases, sex crime cases are the ones that are potentially the most damaging to a person’s reputation and their standing in the community. Even a charge that is later proved false and invalid can taint one’s ability to earn a future living or maintain social relationships. A New Jersey sex crime conviction usually brings with it punishment that could include jail time, fines, and measures such as registering as a sex offender.

If you have been accused of a sex crime in New Jersey it is crucial that you enlist the services of a trusted and a skilled criminal defense attorney who has a proven success record. At Lependorf and Silverstein, we are always sensitive to our client’s requirements and handle all cases with the strictest confidentiality. Please contact us without delay. We will fight with all of our resources to clear your name and reputation.

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28-year-old Joshua Roehrich has been indicted on sexual assault charges in Warren County. The grand jury indictment stems from suspicion that Roehrich sexually assaulted a 13-year-old Phillipsburg girl over a two-year period. According to this news report, officials allege in a 10-count indictment that Roehrich abused the girl from June 2005 to September 2007 when the girl turned 16.

Roehrich reportedly faces five charges of second degree sexual assault. He is said to have performed various sex acts with the girl. He has also been charged with four counts of fourth degree sexual contact over the same period and one count of third degree endangering the welfare of a child, the article states.

A sex crime conviction could lead to harsh punishment including court-ordered counseling, lengthy prison term, monetary fines, probation, weapons and firearm restrictions and mandatory registration as a sex offender. An experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney may be able to lessen your fines, reduce your jail sentence or even have the charges dismissed.

A competent sex crime defense attorney may be able to reduce your fines, charges or even get you acquitted of the charges. If you have been charged with a sex crime in the state of New Jersey, call the New Jersey sex crime defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation.

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A 74-year-old has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography in Hamilton after police reportedly found images of children having sex with adults on his home computer, according to this article. Charles W. Britton was arrested after a three-week investigation by local police, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and a State Police forensics unit.

Authorities were tipped off by employees at a local computer repair business in Hamilton. Britton had taken his computer to them for repairs. That was when the employees reportedly found numerous images on the hard drive of young girls and boys having sex with adults. Police seized computers from Britton’s home as well after reportedly obtaining a search warrant.

Possession of child pornography is a serious charge. If convicted, a defendant may have to register as a sex offender and also could face jail time. These types of allegations require a criminal defense lawyer who not only knows and understands New Jersey sex crime laws, but also has a thorough knowledge of computer forensics – which refers to a branch of forensic science pertaining to legal evidence found in computers and digital storage mediums. A competent criminal defense attorney will have the resources to take a careful look at the evidence in these cases.

At Lependorf & Silverstein we have an excellent track record of obtaining acquittals or reducing charges including in sex crime cases and federal crimes. If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a crime, call a New Jersey sex crime defense lawyer with Lependorf & Silverstein today. Consultations are always free.

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A high school football coach and substitute teacher has been arrested and charged with having a sexual relationship with a Perth Amboy high school student. According to a recent news article, 25-year-old Demond Edwards of Woodbridge was charged with sexual assault in Perth Amboy and endangering the welfare of a child – both second-degree offenses.

Investigation by the Perth Amboy Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office also reportedly revealed that Edwards had sent “inappropriate” text messages to a second female at the high school where he worked as a permanent substitute teacher. The investigation apparently began after the two victims told officials about their teacher.

Sex assault charges are serious especially when they involve minors. The teacher in this case, if convicted, will lose his job, most likely never work as a teacher again and will be required to register as a sex offender wherever he goes. A sex crime conviction will go on your permanent record and seriously jeopardize your career and your future.

Sex crime cases, especially those involving minors and young children, can be complex and difficult to defend. It takes an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney to analyze the details of the case and witness statements in order to separate fact from fiction. A misunderstanding or a spiteful statement could ruin the rest of your life. Do not let this happen to you. Call an experienced New Jersey sex crime defense attorney right away to discuss your case and your legal options.

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A former high school girls’ basketball coach who was convicted of sexually assaulting a player has been sentenced to seven years in prison, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports. Pamela Balogh, 40, a former coach at Immaculata High School, was found guilty of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child; and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. The jury in December however did not find her guilty of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, which could have gotten her more prison time.

The victim, now a freshman in college, reportedly testified during the trial. She was 15 years old when the abuse started in 2005. Prosecutors alleged that Balogh initially lured the girl with gifts and phone calls before assaulting her in the coach’s office, her car, her home, and her sister’s home. Balogh was arrested in December 2006.

This coach’s story is an example of the damage a criminal sexual assault charge can cause to a person’s life and career. This woman will probably never coach again in a school. A sexual assault charge or conviction in New Jersey will cost you – heavy fines, probation and often prison time. According to Department of Justice statistics, more than half of sexual assault convictions result in prison sentences. If convicted defendants manage to escape prison time, they will be placed on probation. Sexual assault convictions also carry the longest median prison sentence, other than homicide – seven years, which is what this former coach got.

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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.

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