Disclaimer                       Contents                          State List

NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

The information provided is not for commercial use it is intended only for informational use. There has been no attempt to make a complete list of all or related statutes. There is no guarantee of the completeness or accuracy of the information provided. Please Seek Professional Legal advice and visit the State’s official web site and consult the Bound Volumes of the State’s Statutes for more information.

 

URLS: NH.GOV OR GENCOURT.STATE.NH.US

 

Or  URL: gencourt.state.nh.us/ie/

 

 

TITLE LXII: CRIMINAL CODE

CHAPTER 632-A
SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RELATED OFFENSES

Section 632-A:2

632-A:2 Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault. –

I. A person is guilty of the felony of aggravated felonious sexual assault if such person engages in sexual penetration with another person under any of the following circumstances:

(a) When the actor overcomes the victim through the actual application of physical force, physical violence or superior physical strength.

(b) When the victim is physically helpless to resist.

(c) When the actor coerces the victim to submit by threatening to use physical violence or superior physical strength on the victim, and the victim believes that the actor has the present ability to execute these threats.

(d) When the actor coerces the victim to submit by threatening to retaliate against the victim, or any other person, and the victim believes that the actor has the ability to execute these threats in the future.

(e) When the victim submits under circumstances involving false imprisonment, kidnapping or extortion.

(f) When the actor, without the prior knowledge or consent of the victim, administers or has knowledge of another person administering to the victim any intoxicating substance which mentally incapacitates the victim.

(g) When the actor provides therapy, medical treatment or examination of the victim and in the course of that therapeutic or treating relationship or within one year of termination of that therapeutic or treating relationship:

(1) Acts in a manner or for purposes which are not professionally recognized as ethical or acceptable; or

(2) Uses this position as such provider to coerce the victim to submit.

(h) When, except as between legally married spouses, the victim is mentally defective and the actor knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally defective.

(i) When the actor through concealment or by the element of surprise is able to cause sexual penetration with the victim before the victim has an adequate chance to flee or resist.

(j) When, except as between legally married spouses, the victim is 13 years of age or older and under 16 years of age and:

(1) the actor is a member of the same household as the victim; or

(2) the actor is related by blood or affinity to the victim.

(k) When, except as between legally married spouses, the victim is 13 years of age or older and under 18 years of age and the actor is in a position of authority over the victim and uses this authority to coerce the victim to submit.

(l) When the victim is less than 13 years of age.            

(m) When at the time of the sexual assault, the victim indicates by speech or conduct that there is not freely given consent to performance of the sexual act.

(n) When the actor is in a position of authority over the victim and uses this authority to coerce the victim to submit under any of the following circumstances:

(1) When the actor has direct supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim by virtue of the victim being incarcerated in a correctional institution, the secure psychiatric unit, or juvenile detention facility where the actor is employed; or

(2) When the actor is a probation or parole officer or a juvenile probation and parole officer who has direct supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim while the victim is on parole or probation or under juvenile probation.

Consent of the victim under any of the circumstances set forth in subparagraph (n) shall not be considered a defense.

II. A person is guilty of aggravated felonious sexual assault without penetration when he intentionally touches whether directly, through clothing, or otherwise, the genitalia of a person under the age of 13 under circumstances that can be reasonably construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. III. A person is guilty of aggravated felonious sexual assault when such person engages in a pattern of sexual assault against another person, not the actor's legal spouse, who is less than 16 years of age. The mental state applicable to the underlying acts of sexual assault need not be shown with respect to the element of engaging in a pattern of sexual assault.

 

Section 632-A:3

632-A:3 Felonious Sexual Assault. – A person is guilty of a class B felony if such person:

I. Subjects a person to sexual contact and causes serious personal injury to the victim under any of the circumstances named in RSA 632-A:2; or

II. Engages in sexual penetration with a person other than his legal spouse who is 13 years of age or older and under 16 years of age; or

III. Engages in sexual contact with a person other than his legal spouse who is under 13 years of age.

IV. Engages in sexual contact with the person when the actor is in a position of authority over the person and uses that authority to coerce the victim to submit under any of the following circumstances:

(a) When the actor has direct supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim by virtue of the victim being incarcerated in a correctional institution, the secure psychiatric unit, or juvenile detention facility where the actor is employed; or

(b) When the actor is a probation or parole officer or a juvenile probation and parole officer who has direct supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim while the victim is on parole or probation or under juvenile probation.

Consent of the victim under any of the circumstances set forth in paragraph IV shall not be considered a defense.

 

Return to the top

 

 

Section 632-A:4

632-A:4 Sexual Assault. –

I. A person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor under any of the following circumstances:

(a) When the actor subjects another person who is 13 years of age or older to sexual contact under any of the circumstances named in RSA 632-A:2.

(b) When the actor subjects another person, other than the actor's legal spouse, who is 13 years of age or older and under 16 years of age to sexual contact where the age difference between the actor and the other person is 5 years or more.

(c) In the absence of any of the circumstances set forth in RSA 632-A:2, when the actor engages in sexual penetration with a person, other than the actor's legal spouse, who is 13 years of age or older and under 16 years of age where the age difference between the actor and the other person is 3 years or less.

II. A person found guilty under subparagraph I(c) of this section shall not be required to register as a sexual offender under RSA 651-B.

III. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if such person engages in sexual contact or sexual penetration with another person when the actor is in a position of authority over the person under any of the following circumstances:

(a) When the actor has direct supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim by virtue of the victim being incarcerated in a correctional institution, the secure psychiatric unit, or juvenile detention facility where the actor is employed; or

(b) When the actor is a probation or parole officer or a juvenile probation and parole officer who has direct supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim while the victim is on parole or probation or under juvenile probation.

Consent of the victim under any of the circumstances set forth in paragraph III shall not be considered a defense.

 

Section 632-A:10-a

632-A:10-a Penalties. – Notwithstanding RSA 651:2:

I. A person convicted of aggravated felonious sexual assault under:

(a) RSA 632-A:2, I(l) shall be sentenced in accordance with subparagraph (b) and paragraphs II-V and may be sentenced to lifetime supervision under paragraph V.

(b) Any provision of RSA 632-A:2 shall be sentenced to a maximum sentence which is not to exceed 20 years and a minimum which is not to exceed 1/2 of the maximum.

II. If a court finds that a defendant has been previously convicted under RSA 632-A:2 or any other statute prohibiting the same conduct in another state, territory or possession of the United States, the defendant shall be sentenced to a maximum sentence which is not to exceed 40 years and a minimum which is not to exceed 1/2 of the maximum.

III. If the court finds that a defendant has been previously convicted of 2 or more offenses under RSA 632-A:2 or any other statute prohibiting the same conduct in another state, territory or possession of the United States, the defendant shall be sentenced to life imprisonment and shall not be eligible for parole at any time.

IV. In this section, the phrase "previously convicted" shall mean any conviction obtained by trial on the merits, or negotiated plea with the assistance of counsel and evidencing a knowing, intelligent and voluntary waiver of the defendant's rights, provided, however, that previous imprisonment is not required.
V. (a) When a defendant pleads or is found guilty of aggravated felonious sexual assault under RSA 632-A:2, I(l), the judge may include in sentencing, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, a special sentence of lifetime supervision by the department of corrections. The defendant shall comply with the conditions of lifetime supervision which are imposed by the court or the department of corrections. Violation of any terms of lifetime supervisions shall be deemed contempt of court. The special sentence of lifetime supervision shall begin upon the release of the offender from incarceration, parole or probation.

(b) A person sentenced to lifetime supervision under subparagraph (a) may petition the court for release from lifetime supervision. The court shall grant a petition for release from a special sentence of lifetime supervision if:

(1) The person has not committed a crime for 15 years after his last conviction or release from incarceration, whichever occurs later; and

(2) The person is not likely to pose a threat to the safety of others if released from supervision.

 

Section 632-A:1

632-A:1 Definitions. – In this chapter:

I. "Actor" means a person accused of a crime of sexual assault.

I-a. "Affinity" means a relation which one spouse because of marriage has to blood relatives of the other spouse.

I-b. "Genital openings" means the internal or external genitalia including, but not limited to, the vagina, labia majora, labia minora, vulva, urethra or perineum.

I-c. "Pattern of sexual assault" means committing more than one act under RSA 632-A:2 or RSA 632-A:3, or both, upon the same victim over a period of 2 months or more and within a period of 5 years.

II. "Retaliate" means to undertake action against the interests of the victim, including, but not limited to:

(a) Physical or mental torment or abuse.

(b) Kidnapping, false imprisonment or extortion.

(c) Public humiliation or disgrace.

III. "Serious personal injury" means extensive bodily injury or disfigurement, extreme mental anguish or trauma, disease or loss or impairment of a sexual or reproductive organ.

IV. "Sexual contact" means the intentional touching whether directly, through clothing, or otherwise, of the victim's or actor's sexual or intimate parts, including breasts and buttocks. Sexual contact includes only that aforementioned conduct which can be reasonably construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification.

V. "Sexual penetration" means:

(a) Sexual intercourse; or

(b) Cunnilingus; or

(c) Fellatio; or

(d) Anal intercourse; or

(e) Any intrusion, however slight, of any part of the actor's body or any object manipulated by the actor into genital or anal openings of the victim's body; or

(f) Any intrusion, however slight, of any part of the victim's body into genital or anal openings of the actor's body;

(g) Any act which forces, coerces or intimidates the victim to perform any sexual penetration as defined in subparagraphs (a)-(f) on the actor, on another person, or on himself.

(h) Emission is not required as an element of any form of sexual penetration.

VI. "Therapy" means the treatment of bodily, mental, or behavioral disorders by remedial agents or methods.

 

CHAPTER 639
OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY

Section 639:2

639:2 Incest. –

I. A person is guilty of a class B felony if he marries or has sexual intercourse, or lives together with, under the representation of being married, a person whom he knows to be his ancestor, descendant, brother or sister, of the whole or half blood, or an uncle, aunt, nephew or niece; provided, however, that no person under the age of 18 shall be liable under this section if the other party is at least 3 years older at the time of the act. The relationships referred to herein include blood relationships without regard to legitimacy, stepchildren, and relationships of parent and child by adoption.

II. In cases of alleged incest where the victim is under the age of 18 when the alleged offense occurred, the statute of limitations shall run pursuant to RSA 625:8, III(d).

III. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I, a person convicted of incest where the victim is under the age of 18 shall be sentenced to a maximum sentence which is not to exceed 20 years and a minimum which is not to exceed 1/2 the maximum. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, no person under 18 years of age shall be subject to any minimum sentence of imprisonment for a conviction of incest under this section.

 

Section 639:3

639:3 Endangering Welfare of Child or Incompetent. –

I. A person is guilty of endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent if he knowingly endangers the welfare of a child under 18 years of age or of an incompetent person by purposely violating a duty of care, protection or support he owes to such child or incompetent, or by inducing such child or incompetent to engage in conduct that endangers his health or safety.

II. In the prosecution of any person under this section, the tattooing or branding by any person of a child under the age of 18 constitutes endangering the welfare of such child.

III. In the prosecution of any person under this section, the solicitation by any person of a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity as defined by RSA 649-A:2, III for the purpose of creating a visual representation as defined in RSA 649-A:2, IV, or to engage in sexual penetration as defined by RSA 632-A:1, V, constitutes endangering the welfare of such child.

IV. A person who pursuant to the tenets of a recognized religion fails to conform to an otherwise existing duty of care or protection is not guilty of an offense under this section.

V. A person who endangers the welfare of a child or incompetent by violating paragraph III of this section is guilty of a class B felony. All other violations of this section are misdemeanors.

VI. No person acting in accordance with the provisions of RSA 132-A shall be guilty of an offense under this section.

 

CHAPTER 645
PUBLIC INDECENCY

Section 645:1

645:1 Indecent Exposure and Lewdness. –

I. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if such person:

(a) Fornicates, exposes his or her genitals or performs any other act of gross lewdness under circumstances which he or she should know will likely cause affront or alarm.

(b) Purposely performs any act of sexual penetration or sexual contact on himself or herself or another in the presence of a child who is at least 13 years of age and less than 16 years of age.

II. A person is guilty of a class B felony if:

(a) Such person purposely performs any act of sexual penetration or sexual contact on himself or herself or another in the presence of a child who is 12 years of age or younger.

(b) Having previously been convicted of an offense under subparagraph I(b), or of an offense which includes the same conduct under any other jurisdiction, the person subsequently commits an offense under subparagraph I(b).

III. A person shall be guilty of a class A felony if:

(a) Having previously been convicted of 2 or more offenses under subparagraph I(b) or II(a), or of 2 or more offenses which include the same conduct under any other jurisdiction, the person subsequently commits an offense under subparagraph I(b) or II(a).

 

 

CHAPTER 649-B
COMPUTER PORNOGRAPHY AND CHILD EXPLOITATION PREVENTION

Section 649-B:4

649-B:4 Certain Uses of Computer Services Prohibited. – Any person who knowingly utilizes a computer on-line service, Internet service, or local bulletin board service to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, a child or another person believed by the person to be a child, to commit any of the following is guilty of a class B felony:

I. Any offense under RSA 632-A, relative to sexual assault and related offenses.

II. Indecent exposure and lewdness under RSA 645:1, II; or

III. Endangering a child, as defined in RSA 639:3.

 

 

Return to the top

 

CHAPTER 649-B
COMPUTER PORNOGRAPHY AND CHILD EXPLOITATION PREVENTION

Section 649-B:6

649-B:6 State Criminal Jurisdiction. – A person is subject to prosecution for engaging in any conduct proscribed by this chapter within this state, or for engaging in such conduct outside this state if by such conduct the person commits a violation of this chapter involving a child or an individual the person believes to be a child, residing within this state.

 

 

CHAPTER 625
PRELIMINARY

Section 625:8

625:8 Limitations. –

I. Except as otherwise provided in this section, prosecutions are subject to the following periods of limitations:

(a) For a class A felony, 6 years;

(b) For a class B felony, 6 years;

(c) For a misdemeanor, one year;

(d) For a violation, 3 months.

(e) For an offense defined by RSA 282-A, 6 years.

II. Murder may be prosecuted at any time.

II-a. [Repealed.]

III. If the period prescribed in paragraph I has expired, a prosecution may nevertheless be commenced:

(a) Within one year after its discovery by an aggrieved party or by a person who has a duty to represent such person and who is himself not a party to the offense for a theft where possession of the property was lawfully obtained and subsequently misappropriated or for any offense, a material element of which is either fraud or a breach of fiduciary duty; or

(b) For any offense based upon misconduct in office by a public servant, at any time when the defendant is in public office or within 2 years thereafter; or

(c) For any offense under RSA 208, RSA 210, or RSA 215, within 3 years thereafter; or

(d) For any offense under RSA 632-A or for an offense under RSA 639:2, where the victim was under 18 years of age when the alleged offense occurred, within 22 years of the victim's eighteenth birthday.

(e) For any offense where destruction or falsification of evidence, witness tampering, or other unlawful conduct delayed discovery of the offense, within one year of the discovery of the offense.

IV. Time begins to run on the day after all elements of an offense have occurred or, in the case of an offense comprised of a continuous course of conduct, on the day after that conduct or the defendant's complicity therein terminates.

V. A prosecution is commenced on the day when a warrant or other process is issued, an indictment returned, or an information is filed, whichever is the earliest.

VI. The period of limitations does not run:

(a) During any time when the accused is continuously absent from the state or has no reasonably ascertained place of abode or work within this state; or

(b) During any time when a prosecution is pending against the accused in this state based on the same conduct.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My email address true_perspective@yahoo.com

 

 

Contents

Introduction

Perspective

Blame

Therapy

Books

Internet Resources

Issues

Types of Predators

Types of Predator Behavior

Ways to Respond and Warning Signs (for Adults and Parents)

My Path

Poem

Disclaimer

State List

 

 

 

Return to the top

Revised 09/06