Luring
Lawrence Township Luring Offense Defense Lawyers
Luring or enticing a child is one of the most serious sexual offenses a person can be accused of Lawrence Township or anywhere else in Mercer County. If you are under investigation for this charge, it is pivotal that you seek immediate representation from defense lawyers who are skilled in handling sex crimes. There is a good chance that the prosecution will object to your release on bail and move to detain you pending your trial so having an attorney before you are formerly arrested is always a huge asset. For those who have already gone through the ordeal of being arrested and charged with luring, the crime you are facing is extremely serious. Failure to avoid a plea or finding of guilty for luring a child will result in years in prison and registration as a sex offender. This is why it is important that you hire the most qualified lawyer to defend a luring offense filed in Trenton, Princeton, Ewing, Hamilton, Lawrence or another Mercer County municipality. The criminal attorneys at our firm have over 100 years of combined experience and several have served as prosecutors in the past. To speak to an attorney immediately about the allegations against you, contact our Lawrence Office or another one of our locations at 609–683–8102.
Luring Charge in Trenton New Jersey
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:13-6, “a person commits a crime of the second degree if he attempts, via electronic or any other means, to lure or entice a child or one who he reasonably believes to be a child into a motor vehicle, structure or isolated area, or to meet or appear at any other place, with a purpose to commit a criminal offense with or against the child.”
Elements of Luring, Enticing a Child. Luring or attempting to entice a child in violation of 2C:13-6 is taken extremely serious by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in Trenton and by the members of the 15 police departments falling under its authority. If a child and/or adults have accused you of this offense, you can count on an aggressive investigation and pursuit of an indictment. To sustain a conviction for luring, the prosecutor will have to prove to a jury empaneled at the county courthouse in Trenton New Jersey, that you:
- Targeted an individual who was a child;
- Attempted to lure or entice a child into a motor vehicle, structure or isolated area; and
- Had a purpose to commit a crime with or against the child.
It is important to understand the meaning of several key words used in 2C:13-6. The statute recognizes a “child” as any person under 18 years old. The term “structure” encompasses any building, room, ship, vessel or airplane. In addition, it means any place adapted for overnight accommodation of persons, or for carrying on business therein, whether or not a person is actually present. Lastly, “electronic means” refers to the internet and other forms of electronic communication. Conduct is “purposeful” when you have the intention of producing a certain result. When we are talking about a luring offense, this means that you must have intended to commit a sexual assault, criminal restraining, criminal sexual contact or some other criminal offense against the child once you lured him/her into the isolated area.
Penalties for Luring, Enticing a Child. Luring or enticing a child is a crime of the second degree that can only be prosecuted at the Mercer County Superior Court in Trenton. A conviction on this charge carries penalties that include a fine of up to $150,000 and 5-10 years of imprisonment. The statute contains a provision to enhance penalties for second and subsequent offenders. Second or subsequent offenders will receive, “a mandatory minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, or one year, whichever is greater, during which time the defendant shall not be eligible for parole.” Additionally, all individuals convicted of luring are subject to registration as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.
Princeton NJ Luring Charge Attorneys
A conviction for luring or enticing a child in East Windsor, Hopewell Township, Hightstown, West Windsor Pennington or another town located in Mercer County clearly results in significant negative consequences. You will not only be subject to the possibility of years in state prison but permanent devastation of your reputation as you will forever be a registered sex offender and required to comply with all of the community supervision and notification requirements set forth by law. Representation by the most skilled lawyer you can find is therefore a most if you have been charged with luring or attempting to lure a child. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall understand the severity of these charges and, more importantly, have the qualifications you need to insure you have every chance of escaping a conviction. Most of the lawyers at the firm have over 15 years experience battling complex offenses like luring. An attorney is ready to provide a free initial consultation in our Princeton Office by calling (609) 683-8102.