A New Jersey male nurse has been arrested on two counts of sexual assault. He is accused of second-degree sexual assault of an elderly female patient in a hospital emergency room and fourth-degree sexual assault of a middle-aged female patient. He is also charged with lewdness. The man holds several nursing positions in New Jersey. He has been suspended from these positions awaiting the outcome of his case. He was previously employed by two regional medical centers in the state. Under NJ Rev Stat § 2C:14-2 (2014), sexual assault or rape is a serious crime. Elements of the law as it relates to the case include:
- Committing “an act of sexual penetration” using force/coercion or
- Committing such an act when the victim was physically or mentally “helpless” or “incapacitated."
Punishment of sexual assault under § 2C:14-2b, c is a second-degree crime with a maximum 10-year prison sentence. Criminal sexual contact, a fourth-degree sex crime, occurs when the actor in this example “knew” or “should have known” that his victim was either physically or mentally “helpless” or “incapacitated.” If convicted, the crime carries a maximum 18-month prison sentence.Under § 2C:14-4, lewdness is a fourth-degree crime or a misdemeanor (disorderly persons offense). If convicted of lewdness, the offender faces a maximum six-month jail term plus a maximum $1,000 fine.The bottom line: Any sex crime is an extremely serious charge in New Jersey. If you have been arrested for a sexual assault charge, you face severe criminal penalties and life-altering consequences if convicted. A criminal record can affect future employment or educational opportunities.Don't face a sex crime charge without knowledgeable and aggressive criminal defense attorneys in your corner. You need an experienced New Jersey sexual assault defense attorney at your side to avoid these severe outcomes. Contact The Davis Law Firm, LLC to schedule an initial case review now. The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
