Is endangering the welfare of a child in the third degree a felony or misdemeanor?
Full Question:
Answer:
The following is a New Jersey statute:
2C:24-4 Endangering welfare of children.
a. Any person having a legal duty for the care of a child or who has
assumed responsibility for the care of a child who engages in sexual
conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child, or who
causes the child harm that would make the child an abused or neglected
child as defined in R.S. 9:6-1, R.S. 9:6-3 and P.L. 1974, c. 119, § 1
(C. 9:6-8.21) is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Any other person
who engages in conduct or who causes harm as described in this subsection
to a child under the age of 16 is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
b. (1) As used in this subsection:
"Child" means any person under 16 years of age.
"Internet" means the international computer network of both federal and
non-federal interoperable packet switched data networks.
"Prohibited sexual act" means
(a) Sexual intercourse; or
(b) Anal intercourse; or
(c) Masturbation; or
(d) Bestiality; or
(e) Sadism; or
(f) Masochism; or
(g) Fellatio; or
(h) Cunnilingus;
(i) Nudity, if depicted for the purpose of sexual stimulation or
gratification of any person who may view such depiction; or
(j) Any act of sexual penetration or sexual contact as defined in
N.J.S. 2C:14-1.
"Reproduction" means, but is not limited to, computer generated
images.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, P.L. 2001, c. 291).
(3) A person commits a crime of the second degree if he causes or
permits a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation
of such an act if the person knows, has reason to know or intends that
the prohibited act may be photographed, filmed, reproduced, or
reconstructed in any manner, including on the Internet, or may be part of
an exhibition or performance. If the person is a parent, guardian or
other person legally charged with the care or custody of the child, the
person shall be guilty of a crime of the first degree.
(4) Any person who photographs or films a child in a prohibited sexual
act or in the simulation of such an act or who uses any device, including
a computer, to reproduce or reconstruct the image of a child in a
prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act is guilty of a
crime of the second degree.
(5) (a) Any person who knowingly receives for the purpose of selling or
who knowingly sells, procures, manufactures, gives, provides, lends,
trades, mails, delivers, transfers, publishes, distributes, circulates,
disseminates, presents, exhibits, advertises, offers or agrees to offer,
through any means, including the Internet, any photograph, film,
videotape, computer program or file, video game or any other reproduction
or reconstruction which depicts a child engaging in a prohibited sexual
act or in the simulation of such an act, is guilty of a crime of the
second degree.
(b) Any person who knowingly possesses or knowingly views any
photograph, film, videotape, computer program or file, video game or any
other reproduction or reconstruction which depicts a child engaging in a
prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act, including on
the Internet, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
(6) For purposes of this subsection, a person who is depicted as or
presents the appearance of being under the age of 16 in any photograph,
film, videotape, computer program or file, video game or any other
reproduction or reconstruction shall be rebuttably presumed to be under
the age of 16. If the child who is depicted as engaging in, or who is
caused to engage in, a prohibited sexual act or simulation of a
prohibited sexual act is under the age of 16, the actor shall be strictly
liable and it shall not be a defense that the actor did not know that the
child was under the age of 16, nor shall it be a defense that the actor
believed that the child was 16 years of age or older, even if such a
mistaken belief was reasonable.
2C:44-1. Criteria for withholding or imposing sentence of imprisonment.
a. In determining the appropriate sentence to be imposed on a person
who has been convicted of an offense, the court shall consider the
following aggravating circumstances:
(1) The nature and circumstances of the offense, and the role of
the actor therein, including whether or not it was committed in an
especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner;
(2) The gravity and seriousness of harm inflicted on the victim,
including whether or not the defendant knew or reasonably should have
known that the victim of the offense was particularly vulnerable or
incapable of resistance due to advanced age, ill-health, or extreme
youth, or was for any other reason substantially incapable of exercising
normal physical or mental power of resistance;
(3) The risk that the defendant will commit another offense;
(4) A lesser sentence will depreciate the seriousness of the
defendant's offense because it involved a breach of the public trust
under chapters 27 and 30, or the defendant took advantage of a position
of trust or confidence to commit the offense;
(5) There is a substantial likelihood that the defendant is involved in
organized criminal activity;
(6) The extent of the defendant's prior criminal record and the
seriousness of the offenses of which he has been convicted;
(7) The defendant committed the offense pursuant to an agreement that
he either pay or be paid for the commission of the offense and the
pecuniary incentive was beyond that inherent in the offense itself;
(8) The defendant committed the offense against a police or other law
enforcement officer, correctional employee or fireman, acting in the
performance of his duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of his
authority; the defendant committed the offense because of the status of
the victim as a public servant; or the defendant committed the offense
against a sports official, athletic coach or manager, acting in or
immediately following the performance of his duties or because of the
person's status as a sports official, coach or manager;
(9) The need for deterring the defendant and others from violating the
law;
(10) The offense involved fraudulent or deceptive practices committed
against any department or division of State government;
(11) The imposition of a fine, penalty or order of restitution without
also imposing a term of imprisonment would be perceived by the defendant
or others merely as part of the cost of doing business, or as an
acceptable contingent business or operating expense associated with the
initial decision to resort to unlawful practices;
(12) The defendant committed the offense against a person who he knew
or should have known was 60 years of age or older, or disabled; and
(13) The defendant, while in the course of committing or attempting to
commit the crime, including the immediate flight therefrom, used or was
in possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
b. In determining the appropriate sentence to be imposed on a person
who has been convicted of an offense, the court may properly consider the
following mitigating circumstances:
(1) The defendant's conduct neither caused nor threatened serious
harm;
(2) The defendant did not contemplate that his conduct would cause or
threaten serious harm;
(3) The defendant acted under a strong provocation;
(4) There were substantial grounds tending to excuse or justify
the defendant's conduct, though failing to establish a defense;
(5) The victim of the defendant's conduct induced or facilitated
its commission;
(6) The defendant has compensated or will compensate the victim
of his conduct for the damage or injury that he sustained, or will
participate in a program of community service;
(7) The defendant has no history of prior delinquency or criminal
activity or has led a law-abiding life for a substantial period of
time before the commission of the present offense;
(8) The defendant's conduct was the result of circumstances unlikely to
recur;
(9) The character and attitude of the defendant indicate that he
is unlikely to commit another offense;
(10) The defendant is particularly likely to respond affirmatively to
probationary treatment;
(11) The imprisonment of the defendant would entail excessive hardship
to himself or his dependents;
(12) The willingness of the defendant to cooperate with law enforcement
authorities;
(13) The conduct of a youthful defendant was substantially influenced
by another person more mature than the defendant.
c. (1) A plea of guilty by a defendant or failure to so plead shall not
be considered in withholding or imposing a sentence of imprisonment.
(2) When imposing a sentence of imprisonment the court shall consider
the defendant's eligibility for release under the law governing parole,
including time credits awarded pursuant to Title 30 of the Revised
Statutes, in determining the appropriate term of imprisonment.
d. Presumption of imprisonment. The court shall deal with a person who
has been convicted of a crime of the first or second degree by imposing a
sentence of imprisonment unless, having regard to the character and
condition of the defendant, it is of the opinion that his imprisonment
would be a serious injustice which overrides the need to deter such
conduct by others. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection e. of
this section, the court shall deal with a person who has been convicted
of theft of a motor vehicle or of the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle
and who has previously been convicted of either offense by imposing a
sentence of imprisonment unless, having regard to the character and
condition of the defendant, it is of the opinion that his imprisonment
would be a serious injustice which overrides the need to deter such
conduct by others.
e. The court shall deal with a person convicted of an offense other
than a crime of the first or second degree, who has not previously been
convicted of an offense, without imposing a sentence of imprisonment
unless, having regard to the nature and circumstances of the offense and
the history, character and condition of the defendant, it is of the
opinion that his imprisonment is necessary for the protection of the
public under the criteria set forth in subsection a., except that this
subsection shall not apply if the person is convicted of any of the
following crimes of the third degree: theft of a motor vehicle; unlawful
taking of a motor vehicle; eluding; if the person is convicted of a crime
of the third degree constituting use of a false government document in
violation of subsection c. of section 1 of P.L. 1983, c. 565 (C.
2C:21-2.1); if the person is convicted of a crime of the third degree
constituting distribution, manufacture or possession of an item
containing personal identifying information in violation of subsection
b. of section 6 of P.L. 2003, c. 184 (C. 2C:21-17.3); or if the person is
convicted of a crime of the third or fourth degree constituting bias
intimidation in violation of N.J.S. 2C:16-1; or if the person is
convicted of a crime of the third degree under section 2 of P.L. 1997,
c. 111 (C. 2C:12-1.1).
f. Presumptive Sentences. (1) Except for the crime of murder, unless
the preponderance of aggravating or mitigating factors, as set forth in
subsections a. and b., weighs in favor of a higher or lower term within
the limits provided in N.J.S. 2C:43-6, when a court determines that a
sentence of imprisonment is warranted, it shall impose sentence as
follows:
(a) To a term of 20 years for aggravated manslaughter or kidnapping
pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection c. of N.J.S. 2C:13-1 when the
offense constitutes a crime of the first degree;
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection to a
term of 15 years for a crime of the first degree;
(c) To a term of seven years for a crime of the second degree;
(d) To a term of four years for a crime of the third degree; and
(e) To a term of nine months for a crime of the fourth degree.
In imposing a minimum term pursuant to 2C:43-6b., the sentencing court
shall specifically place on the record the aggravating factors set forth
in this section which justify the imposition of a minimum term.
Unless the preponderance of mitigating factors set forth in subsection
b. weighs in favor of a lower term within the limits authorized,
sentences imposed pursuant to 2C:43-7a.(1) shall have a presumptive term
of life imprisonment. Unless the preponderance of aggravating and
mitigating factors set forth in subsections a. and b. weighs in favor of
a higher or lower term within the limits authorized, sentences imposed
pursuant to 2C:43-7a.(2) shall have a presumptive term of 50 years'
imprisonment; sentences imposed pursuant to 2C:43-7a.(3) shall have a
presumptive term of 15 years' imprisonment; and sentences imposed pursuant
to 2C:43-7a.(4) shall have a presumptive term of seven years'
imprisonment.
In imposing a minimum term pursuant to 2C:43-7b., the sentencing court
shall specifically place on the record the aggravating factors set forth
in this section which justify the imposition of a minimum term.
(2) In cases of convictions for crimes of the first or second degree
where the court is clearly convinced that the mitigating factors
substantially outweigh the aggravating factors and where the interest of
justice demands, the court may sentence the defendant to a term
appropriate to a crime of one degree lower than that of the crime for
which he was convicted. If the court does impose sentence pursuant to
this paragraph, or if the court imposes a noncustodial or probationary
sentence upon conviction for a crime of the first or second degree, such
sentence shall not become final for 10 days in order to permit the appeal
of such sentence by the prosecution.
g. Imposition of Noncustodial Sentences in Certain Cases. If the
court, in considering the aggravating factors set forth in subsection
a., finds the aggravating factor in paragraph a.(2) or a. (12) and does
not impose a custodial sentence, the court shall specifically place on
the record the mitigating factors which justify the imposition of a
noncustodial sentence.
h. Except as provided in section 2 of P.L. 1993, c. 123 (C. 2C:43-11),
the presumption of imprisonment as provided in subsection d. of this
section shall not preclude the admission of a person to the Intensive
Supervision Program, established pursuant to the Rules Governing the
Courts of the State of New Jersey.
2C:44-2. Criteria for Imposing Fines and Restitutions
a. The court may sentence a defendant to pay a fine in addition
to a sentence of imprisonment or probation if:
(1) The defendant has derived a pecuniary gain from the offense
or the court is of opinion that a fine is specially adapted to
deterrence of the type of offense involved or to the correction of
the offender;
(2) The defendant is able, or given a fair opportunity to do so,
will be able to pay the fine; and
(3) The fine will not prevent the defendant from making
restitution to the victim of the offense.
b. The court shall sentence a defendant to pay restitution in
addition to a sentence of imprisonment or probation that may be
imposed if:
(1) The victim, or in the case of a homicide, the nearest
relative of the victim, suffered a loss; and
(2) The defendant is able to pay or, given a fair opportunity,
will be able to pay restitution.
c. (1) In determining the amount and method of payment of a
fine, the court shall take into account the financial resources of
the defendant and the nature of the burden that its payment will
impose.
(2) In determining the amount and method of payment of
restitution, the court shall take into account all financial
resources of the defendant, including the defendant's likely
future earnings, and shall set the amount of restitution so as to
provide the victim with the fullest compensation for loss that is
consistent with the defendant's ability to pay. The court shall
not reduce a restitution award by any amount that the victim has
received from the Violent Crimes Compensation Board, but shall
order the defendant to pay any restitution ordered for a loss
previously compensated by the Board to the Violent Crimes
Compensation Board. If restitution to more than one person is set
at the same time, the court shall set priorities of payment.
d. Nonpayment. When a defendant is sentenced to pay a fine or
make restitution, or both, the court shall not impose at the same
time an alternative sentence to be served in the event that the
fine or restitution is not paid. The response of the court to
nonpayment shall be determined only after the fine or restitution
has not been paid, as provided in section 2C:46-2.
e. Whenever the maximum potential fine which may be imposed on a
conviction for an offense defined in the "Comprehensive Drug
Reform Act of 1986," N.J.S. 2C:35-1 et al. depends on the street
value of the controlled dangerous substance or controlled
substance analog involved and the court intends to impose a fine
in excess of the maximum ordinary fine applicable to the offense
for which defendant was convicted, and where the fine has not been
agreed to pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S. 2C:35-12, the court
at the time of sentence shall determine the street value at the
time and place of the offense based on the amount and purity of
the controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog
involved. The sentencing court's finding as to the street value
may be based on expert opinion in the form of live testimony or by
affidavit, or by such other means as the court deems appropriate.
The court's finding as to street value shall not be subject to
modification by an appellate court except upon a showing that the
finding was totally lacking in support on the record or was
arbitrary or capricious.
f. The ordering of restitution pursuant to this section shall
not operate as a bar to the seeking of civil recovery by the
victim based on the incident underlying the criminal conviction.
Restitution ordered under this section is to be in addition to any
civil remedy which a victim may possess, but any amount due the
victim under any civil remedy shall be reduced by the amount
ordered under this section to the extent necessary to avoid double
compensation for the same loss, and the initial restitution
judgment shall remain in full force and effect.
2C:44-3 Criteria for Sentence of Extended Term of Imprisonment.
The court may, upon application of the prosecuting attorney, sentence a
person who has been convicted of a crime of the first, second or third
degree to an extended term of imprisonment if it finds one or more of the
grounds specified in subsection a., b., c., or f. of this section. If the
grounds specified in subsection d. are found, and the person is being
sentenced for commission of any of the offenses enumerated in N.J.S.
2C:43-6c. or N.J.S. 2C:43-6g., the court shall sentence the defendant to
an extended term as required by N.J.S. 2C:43-6c. or N.J.S. 2C:43-6g., and
application by the prosecutor shall not be required. The court shall, upon
application of the prosecuting attorney, sentence a person who has been
convicted of a crime under N.J.S. 2C:14-2 or N.J.S. 2C:14-3 to an
extended term of imprisonment if the grounds specified in subsection g.
of this section are found. The court shall, upon application of the
prosecuting attorney, sentence a person who has been convicted of a crime
to an extended term of imprisonment if the grounds specified in
subsection h. of this section are found. The court shall, upon
application of the prosecuting attorney, sentence a person to an extended
term if the imposition of such term is required pursuant to the
provisions of section 2 of P.L. 1994, c. 130 (C. 2C:43-6.4). The finding
of the court shall be incorporated in the record.
a. The defendant has been convicted of a crime of the first, second or
third degree and is a persistent offender. A persistent offender is a
person who at the time of the commission of the crime is 21 years of age
or over, who has been previously convicted on at least two separate
occasions of two crimes, committed at different times, when he was at
least 18 years of age, if the latest in time of these crimes or the date
of the defendant's last release from confinement, whichever is later, is
within 10 years of the date of the crime for which the defendant is being
sentenced.
b. The defendant has been convicted of a crime of the first, second or
third degree and is a professional criminal. A professional criminal is a
person who committed a crime as part of a continuing criminal activity in
concert with two or more persons, and the circumstances of the crime show
he has knowingly devoted himself to criminal activity as a major source
of livelihood.
c. The defendant has been convicted of a crime of the first, second or
third degree and committed the crime as consideration for the receipt, or
in expectation of the receipt, of anything of pecuniary value the amount
of which was unrelated to the proceeds of the crime or he procured the
commission of the offense by payment or promise of payment of anything of
pecuniary value.
d. Second offender with a firearm. The defendant is at least 18 years
of age and has been previously convicted of any of the following crimes:
2C:11-3, 2C:11-4, 2C:12-1b., 2C:13-1, 2C:14-2a., 2C:14-3a., 2C:15-1,
2C:18-2, 2C:29-5, 2C:39-4a., or has been previously convicted of an
offense under Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes or under any statute of
the United States or any other state which is substantially equivalent to
the offenses enumerated in this subsection and he used or possessed a
firearm, as defined in 2C:39-1f., in the course of committing or
attempting to commit any of these crimes, including the immediate flight
therefrom.
e. (Deleted by amendment, P.L. 2001, c. 443).
f. The defendant has been convicted of a crime under any of the
following sections: N.J.S. 2C:11-4, N.J.S. 2C:12-1b., N.J.S. 2C:13-1,
N.J.S. 2C:14-2a., N.J.S. 2C:14-3a., N.J.S. 2C:15-1, N.J.S. 2C:18-2,
N.J.S. 2C:29-2b., N.J.S. 2C:29-5, N.J.S. 2C:35-5, and in the course of
committing or attempting to commit the crime, including the immediate
flight therefrom, the defendant used or was in possession of a stolen
motor vehicle.
g. The defendant has been convicted of a crime under N.J.S. 2C:14-2 or
N.J.S. 2C:14-3 involving violence or the threat of violence and the
victim of the crime was 16 years of age or less.
For purposes of this subsection, a crime involves violence or the
threat of violence if the victim sustains serious bodily injury as
defined in subsection b. of N.J.S. 2C:11-1, or the actor is armed with
and uses a deadly weapon or threatens by word or gesture to use a deadly
weapon as defined in subsection c. of N.J.S. 2C:11-1, or threatens to
inflict serious bodily injury.
h. The crime was committed while the defendant was knowingly involved
in criminal street gang related activity. A crime is committed while the
defendant was involved in criminal street gang related activity if the
crime was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in
association with a criminal street gang. "Criminal street gang" means
three or more persons associated in fact. Individuals are associated in
fact if (1) they have in common a group name or identifying sign,
symbol, tattoo or other physical marking, style of dress or use of hand
signs or other indicia of association or common leadership, and (2)
individually or in combination with other members of a criminal street
gang, while engaging in gang related activity, have committed, conspired
or attempted to commit, within the preceding three years, two or more
offenses of robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault, assault, aggravated
sexual assault, sexual assault, arson, burglary, kidnapping, extortion,
or a violation of chapter 11, section 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 of chapter 35 or
chapter 39 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes regardless of whether
the prior offenses have resulted in convictions.
The court shall not impose a sentence pursuant to this subsection
unless the ground therefore has been established by a preponderance of
the evidence established at a hearing, which may occur at the time of
sentencing. In making its finding, the court shall take judicial notice
of any testimony or information adduced at the trial, plea hearing or
other court proceedings and also shall consider the presentence report
and any other relevant information.