A group home worker is facing serious allegations this week. The man was
arrested after being accused of sexual assault of an autistic woman at
a group home in New Jersey. Police say the man turned himself in and he
was arrested and charged with first degree aggravated sexual assault.
The man was a staff member at the group home where the incident allegedly occurred.

When someone is accused of a crime, especially one that relates directly
to their employment, it might be wise to speak with a criminal defense
attorney. A crime such as sexual assault can have very severe consequences
if a person is convicted. While it is important in cases like this to
be sensitive to the reported victim, it is also important that a person
accused of a crime has a chance to defend themselves through fair court
proceedings.

Sometimes people see these stories in new reports and they automatically
assume a person is guilty. These new articles are usually written without
the point of view of the person that is accused, and rely mainly on a
police report for their information. This highlights the importance of
remembering that the criminal justice system works in a way where all
people are supposed to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

When someone is accused of a crime, a criminal defense attorney can explain
their rights. A sex crime in New Jersey can have devastating effects on
a person’s career, highlighting the importance of a rigorous defense.
If someone is convicted of a sex crime, they may have to register as a
sexual offender in many states and may not be able to find employment.

Source: The Messenger-Gazette, “Somerset man charged with sexually assaulting autistic woman while on staff
at group home,” July 19, 2012