Can I be prohibited from using the internet if I am convicted of a sex crime in New Jersey?

Although convicted sex offenders in New Jersey can have their internet access limited under certain circumstances, they cannot be completely banned from using the internet without the state meeting a very high burden. That was the holding of the NJ Supreme Court in 2017, when a man convicted of sexual abuse appealed a “near-total” internet ban imposed on him as part of his lifetime sex offender registration requirements. The state supreme court declared that internet access is a “basic need” of living in the modern world. As such, said the court, a sex offender’s ability to use the internet can only be revoked when there is a legitimate public safety concern.

In many cases, however, individuals convicted of felony-level sex offenses such as aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and child endangerment involving distribution of child pornography are subject to community supervision for life and may have their access to social networking sites severely restricted.

South Jersey Criminal Attorney John Tumelty Will Help You Fight Sex Crime Charges in Atlantic City, NJ

Anyone facing sex crime charges in Hamilton Township, Egg Harbor, Middle Township, or anywhere else in South Jersey has reason to be worried about their future. That’s because a criminal conviction for a felony sex offense in NJ is punishable by prison time. Beyond that, convicted sex offenders are often subject to severe limitations on their lives after completing their prison sentences. Under Megan’s Law, a person convicted of a felony sex crime may have to notify neighbors of their conviction and register in an online database viewable by anyone.

If you or a loved one has been charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, endangering the welfare of a child, or any other sex crime in New Jersey, you need a tenacious litigator on your side and helping you to contest the charges. John Tumelty, the founding partner of the Law Offices of John W. Tumelty, is an experienced criminal lawyer who knows how to effectively negotiate with prosecutors in NJ sex crime cases. If possible, Mr. Tumelty will seek to get your sexual offense charges downgraded or dismissed so that you can avoid the most severe penalties. Contact Mr. Tumelty today to schedule a free initial consultation at his office in Atlantic City, NJ.