§ 130.52 Forcible touching.

A person is guilty of forcible touching when such person intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose:

1. forcibly touches the sexual or other intimate parts of another person for the purpose of degrading or abusing such person, or for the purpose of gratifying the actor's sexual desire; or

2. subjects another person to sexual contact for the purpose of gratifying the actor's sexual desire and with intent to degrade or abuse such other person while such other person is a passenger on a bus, train, or subway car operated by any transit agency, authority or company, public or private, whose operation is authorized by New York state or any of its political subdivisions.

For the purposes of this section, forcible touching includes squeezing, grabbing or pinching.

Forcible touching is a class A misdemeanor.

P.L. 130.52 Forcible Touching Penalties

• Up to 364 days in jail
• Probation for 6 years (probation carries employment, residence, travel, and other restrictions)
• Combination of jail and probation
• Fines
• Possible sex offender registration
• DNA sample

Forcible touching is a misdemeanor sex offense that is often charged in situations where someone touches someone else's private or intimate parts without consent. Intimate parts could include the breast, buttocks, crotch, vagina, penis, or other intimate parts. In New York City, this is often charged for things that happen in the subway, bus, train station, bar or nightclub, outdoor event, crowded places, or other similar situations. New York City District Attorneys take forcible touching seriously and prosecute these cases aggressively even if is the alleged perpetrator's first arrest.

If you or a loved-one has been accused of forcible touching, it is important to get help as soon as possible and before the case is resolved in court. Contact the Law Offices of Lance Fletcher today to discuss the nature of the encounter, possible defenses, and ways to avoid jail, a record, or sex-offender registration.