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Sandy Hook State Park Lewd Conduct Charges Attorney

Criminal Defense Attorney Defends Those Accused Of Lewd Conduct Charges In Sandy Hook, Monmouth County And Its Surrounding Beaches

New Jersey’s natural beauty attracts many visitors to its heralded shores, including beaches such as Sandy Hook, Point Pleasant, Seaside, and Belmar. Unfortunately, many of these trips result in criminal charges for travelers for various acts, including lewd conduct due to indecent exposure of one’s intimate parts.

If you have been charged with such an offense, a New Jersey criminal defense attorney can help. I am Anthony Palumbo, and I have been defending individuals against lewd conduct charges in New Jersey for almost four decades.

If you would like to discuss your case, freely and confidentially, with an experienced attorney at no obligation, contact my office today at 908-272-9700.

As a longstanding member of the legal community, a former prosecutor, and a current public defender, I can give you an honest assessment of the penalties you face and the best possible avenues of relief.

The Appeal Of Sandy Hook And The Jersey Shore

There’s nothing to bring relief to a sweltering summer day like a getaway to the beach. Every year, thousands of vacationers and day-trippers venture to Sandy Hook to enjoy its white sand, swirling waves, and great environment.

Sandy Hook is a narrow and deserted, 7-mile-long sand barrier located at the northern tip of New Jersey. Formerly the site of various military operations, it is now a National Park, part of the Gateway National Recreation area, and provides miles of pristine beaches and natural forest easily accessible from Manhattan.

Within Sandy Hook lies Gunnison Beach. This section of the park is one of the largest “clothing optional” beaches on the East Coast, and draws hordes of people from both New York and New Jersey.

Lewdness And Indecent Exposure At Sandy Hook And Gunnison Beach

Because of the risqué nature of the “clothing optional” area, many individuals each and every summer in Sandy Hook are charged with Lewdness due to incidents of indecent exposure when venturing out of Gunnison Beach. I am an experienced criminal defense attorney who has experience defending those accused of Lewdness and can help prevent convictions for this crime.

In many instances, you may be able to get the charges against you dropped or significantly reduced. If you are facing a disorderly persons offense or lewdness as a crime in the fourth-degree, it is highly advised to seek a qualified lewdness defense attorney to help safeguard your freedom and keep your record clean.

Quality Legal Representation

During the summer of 2010, I represented more than one dozen people charged with lewdness in Sandy Hood State Park Beach. All of these individuals were ashamed and terrified of what might happen if these charges were to appear on their criminal records. I reassured my clients that I would be able to help. I was able to get all of the criminal charges against my clients dismissed, and they received minor violations that did not involve lewdness, a criminal record or a loss of their driver’s license.

The charge of “lewdness” is one that most people find offensive and do not wish to have associated with their names as it may greatly impact their futures in terms of employment and other opportunities. As an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, I take great care in securing pleas that did not involve any mention of the lewdness offense.

Understanding The Crime Of Lewdness

The proscription against lewdness can be charged in one of two ways. First, less egregious forms of lewdness may be charged as a disorderly persons offense that generally carries minimal penalties. There is, however, more serious criminal liability in the form of a fourth-degree crime for exposure of one’s intimate parts under certain circumstances to another. As an experienced criminal defense attorney, Anthony N. Palumbo represents clients successfully in either of these scenarios.

Lewdness As A Disorderly Person’s Offense.

Lewdness is generally considered a “disorderly persons offense” as outlined by New Jersey’s Criminal Code if an individual does any flagrantly lewd and offensive act that he knows or reasonably expects is likely to be observed by other non-consenting persons who would be affronted or alarmed.

“Lewd acts” generally include the exposing of the genitals of an individual for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or any other person.

Convictions resulting from disorderly person offenses usually result in a criminal record that is not eligible for expungement for five (5) years. This means that a conviction shall follow an individual around for a minimum of 5 years absent defense and/or a downgrade of the charge. Further consequences may include up to six (6) months in jail, fines, probation, and even driver’s license suspension.

Lewdness As A Crime In The Fourth-Degree.

A more serious form of lewdness is charged as provided under the New Jersey criminal code when certain factors are present during the offense. Under subsection (b) of the prohibition against lewdness, a person commits a crime of the fourth-degree if he:

  • Exposes his intimate parts for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or any other person under the 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.
  • 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 a mental disease or defect is unable to understand the sexual nature of the actor’s conduct.

Clearly, New Jersey has enacted a stronger prohibition against lewdness in order to protect children and those who are mentally incapable of understanding the sexual nature of the actor’s conduct. Because the State wishes to shield children and the developmentally disabled from exposure to lewd behavior, those found guilty under this subsection of the law face some significant punishment.

A crime in the fourth degree does not have a presumption of incarceration which means that jail time may be suspended by a judge who would instead propose probation. Fourth-degree crimes are generally accompanied by a jail time sentence of one (1) to one and a half (1.5) years. Fortunately for those convicted under this subsection, they are not required to register as a sex offender.

Hire A New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney In Monmouth County

At The Law Offices of Anthony N. Palumbo, I have the experience necessary to fight these charges. I have had success reducing my clients’ penalties, winning trials, and negotiating plea agreements. Let me use my experience to help you. Contact Anthony N. Palumbo, a New Jersey criminal defense attorney, to discuss your case.

I have been defending individuals against lewdness charges, including those involving minors, in New Jersey for almost four decades throughout Monmouth County in towns such as Sandy Hook, Point Pleasant, Seaside, and Belmar. As a longstanding member of the legal community, a former prosecutor, and a current public defender, I can give you an honest assessment of the penalties you face and the best possible avenues of relief. If you would like to discuss your case, freely and confidentially, with an experienced attorney at no obligation, contact me at 908-272-9700 for a free consultation.