Under New Jersey’s statute N.J.S.A. 2C:24-10, Female Genital Mutilation of Females Under 18 Years of Age, it is a crime of the third degree to perform an act of female genital mutilation, to give consent to allowing a child under 18 in your care to undergo such a procedure, or to remove a child under 18 from state care in order to have such a procedure performed.
New Jersey describes crimes differently than most states, but a third degree crime is comparable to a mid-level felony in other jurisdictions. Conviction can result in a sentence of three to five years, though many defendants will be subject to a presumption of non-incarceration that can mean you won’t serve time in prison if convicted.
A felony record in New Jersey can have huge impacts on your life going forward, including your ability to find work and receive state benefits. A criminal conviction can also negatively impact immigration cases. Don’t take chances with so much at stake. Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 and talk to an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney for free.