Aggravated Sexual Assault Lawyer Burlington County, NJ
A charge of aggravated sexual assault in Burlington County, New Jersey, places your liberty and future at immediate risk. Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2, carrying a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison, a presumptive term of incarceration, and an 85% period of parole ineligibility under the No Early Release Act. Cases are heard at the Superior Court of New Jersey, Burlington Vicinage, located at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office prosecutes these matters vigorously, and New Jersey’s post-2017 bail-reform system means that pretrial release is determined by a Public Safety Assessment risk score, not by the ability to post cash bail. For many defendants, this can mean detention while the case is pending. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has defended serious felony matters in New Jersey since the firm’s founding in 1997. He and his Of Counsel team bring a former prosecutor’s insight and over 120 years of combined legal experience to every criminal defense representation. Results may vary. If you are facing an aggravated sexual assault charge in Burlington County, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
Superior Court of NJ, Burlington Vicinage Court hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Counsel appearing on criminal matters should plan filings accordingly.
What Aggravated Sexual Assault Means in Burlington County
Under New Jersey law, a person commits aggravated sexual assault when the act of sexual penetration occurs under circumstances outlined in N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2. Those circumstances include sexual penetration with a victim who is less than 13 years old, where the actor uses physical force or coercion and the victim sustains severe personal injury, where the victim is physically helpless or mentally incapacitated, or where the actor is armed with a weapon. The statute is one of the most severely punished offenses in the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice. Because a conviction triggers an 85% parole ineligibility period under the No Early Release Act, an individual sentenced to 20 years must serve at least 17 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Aggravated sexual assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2 is a first-degree crime with a penalty of 10 to 20 years imprisonment, a presumptive term of incarceration, and an 85% parole disqualifier under the No Early Release Act.
Source: N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2. New Jersey Legislature Statutes
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
In Burlington County, the case is prosecuted in the Superior Court, Law Division — Criminal Part, at the Burlington Vicinage. The county seat is Mount Holly, and the courthouse serves communities throughout Burlington County, including Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Burlington City, Cinnaminson, Evesham, Medford, Bordentown, Pemberton, Willingboro, and Marlton. Our New Jersey location represents clients at the Burlington County courthouse and throughout the state. The pretrial process proceeds under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which eliminated cash bail in 2017. After arrest, a Public Safety Assessment is generated, and the court decides whether to release the defendant with conditions or to order pretrial detention. A skilled defense attorney can challenge the PSA and argue for release, but the standard is risk-based, not monetary. The discovery, motion, and plea or trial stages follow under the New Jersey Court Rules. Given the severity of the charge, the State typically seeks pretrial detention, and the case may proceed to indictment and trial over many months.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Aggravated Sexual Assault Cases
Every aggravated sexual assault defense begins with a thorough review of the alleged facts and the State’s evidence. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team examine police reports, witness statements, forensic evidence, medical records, and any electronic or digital communications that the prosecution may rely upon. In New Jersey, the prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt, and the defense may explore challenges to the voluntariness of any statements, the reliability of identification procedures, the chain of custody of physical evidence, and the admissibility of prior bad-act evidence under the State v. Cofield factors. Because Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel include a former prosecutor, they understand how the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office builds and evaluates these cases, which provides meaningful insight when negotiating with the State or preparing for trial.
The defense strategy may include filing motions to suppress evidence obtained through an unlawful search or interrogation, to exclude expert testimony, or to dismiss the indictment if the grand jury proceeding was flawed. Where a trial is necessary, the firm engages qualified attorneys—such as forensic psychologists, DNA analysts, or medical professionals—to examine the evidence and testify on behalf of the defense. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have documented 4,739+ case results across all practice areas since 1997. Results may vary. Throughout the process, from the initial detention hearing through trial and, if necessary, post-conviction relief, the team works to protect the client’s rights and to pursue the most favorable resolution possible under the specific facts of the case.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded the firm in 1997 after serving as a prosecutor. His background gives him a firsthand understanding of how law enforcement and prosecutors build criminal cases, and he has concentrated his practice on criminal defense in New Jersey and four other jurisdictions. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), a legislative effort focused on procedural fairness in certain family law matters. He maintains a deliberately limited caseload so that he can personally direct the strategy of each matter he accepts. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is aggravated sexual assault under New Jersey law?
Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2 involving sexual penetration under specified aggravating circumstances. The statute covers acts committed against a victim under 13, acts using force or coercion causing severe injury, acts against a physically helpless or mentally incapacitated person, and acts committed while armed. The offense is among the most serious in the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice and carries a mandatory 85% period of parole ineligibility under the No Early Release Act. For further guidance on your situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What are the possible penalties for aggravated sexual assault in Burlington County?
A conviction for aggravated sexual assault can result in a sentence of 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison with a presumptive term of incarceration. Under NERA, the defendant must serve 85% of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole, meaning a 20-year sentence requires at least 17 years of actual incarceration. The court may also impose Megan’s Law registration requirements, community supervision for life, and fines. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How does the No Early Release Act affect an aggravated sexual assault case?
The No Early Release Act requires a person sentenced for aggravated sexual assault to serve 85% of the imposed term before parole eligibility. This means that time credits and early release programs that apply to other offenses are greatly restricted. The 85% period is calculated against the entire sentence, not just the minimum. A defense attorney experienced with NERA cases can evaluate whether the charge, as filed, triggers the statute and argue for lesser offenses that do not carry the same parole restrictions. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need a lawyer if I am charged with aggravated sexual assault in Burlington County?
Yes, because aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree crime with potential decades of incarceration, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. The State will seek pretrial detention under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, and early intervention can be critical to preserving evidence, challenging the PSA score, and preparing the defense. A lawyer can also advise you on whether any statements you make can be used against you and can begin investigating the case right away. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation.
What is Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) in Burlington County and does it apply to aggravated sexual assault?
PTI is a diversionary program for first-time indictable offenders, but aggravated sexual assault charges are generally ineligible because of the severity of the offense. The statute specifically excludes certain violent crimes from PTI consideration. However, a defense attorney can assess whether the charge can be reduced to a lesser offense that may be eligible for diversion or other alternative disposition programs. The application process is handled through the Superior Court of New Jersey, Burlington Vicinage. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Does New Jersey have cash bail for aggravated sexual assault charges?
No, New Jersey abolished cash bail in January 2017. Pretrial release is now determined by a Public Safety Assessment, a computerized risk-score evaluation that measures flight risk and danger to the community. For a serious charge like aggravated sexual assault, the State will likely move for pretrial detention, and the court will hold a detention hearing to decide whether the defendant may be released with conditions or must be held until trial. An attorney can present arguments and evidence to rebut the PSA and seek release. To discuss your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Helpful resources: Burlington Vicinage Court Website · New Jersey Statutes · New Jersey Courts
Related areas of practice: Hunterdon County criminal lawyer · Somerset County criminal defense attorney · Morris County criminal defense · Bergen County criminal defense · Monmouth County criminal defense
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris.
Results may vary.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.