NEW BRUNSWICK — Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers University student convicted in March of using a webcam to spy on his roommate during an intimate encounter with a man, will turn himself in Thursday to begin serving a 30-day jail term.



Because the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is appealing the sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Glenn Berman, Ravi did not have to begin serving the term yet, but his lawyer said Ravi wanted to go through with it sooner rather than later.

"It’s his decision," said the lawyer, Steven Altman. "He wanted to get it over with."

Ravi is to appear Wednesday before Berman at 8:30 a.m. in New Brunswick. He will report to the Middlesex County Jail a day later. With good behavior, his term could be shaved to as little as 20 days.

In a statement, Ravi said he decided to "accept and hopefully complete the sentence as soon as possible. It's the only way I can go on with my life."

For the first time, Ravi also offered a clear apology.

Photos: Dharun Ravi's possible living quarters at Middlesex County Jail 10 Gallery: Photos: Dharun Ravi's possible living quarters at Middlesex County Jail

"I accept responsibility for and regret my thoughtless, insensitive, immature, stupid and childish choices that I made on September 19, 2010 and September 21, 2010," he said. "My behavior and actions, which at no time were motivated by hate, bigotry, prejudice or desire to hurt, humiliate or embarrass anyone, were nonetheless the wrong choices and decisions. I apologize to everyone affected by those choices."

Berman's sentence departed substantially from state guidelines, which call for five to seven years in prison for second-degree crimes. A judge may impose a lesser sentence if he or she finds there were "extraordinary circumstances" associated with a case. Berman found that to be true in Ravi's case. The office of Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan quicky appealed, saying the sentence should have been stiffer. If Kaplan's appeal is successful, Ravi will be granted credit for his time in jail.

In March, a jury found the Plainsboro man guilty of bias intimidation, invasion of privacy and tampering counts in the spying case over his roommate, Tyler Clementi.

Days after learning that others had witnessed his romantic encounter, Clementi leaped to his death from the George Washington Bridge.

The prosecution was a landmark in New Jersey, for the first time tying invasion of privacy to bias intimidation, a count typically associated with violence or threats of violence.

Related coverage:

• Editorial: Dharun Ravi apology is overdue, but refreshing

• Dharun Ravi sentence: Middlesex County Prosecutor's office files appeal notice

• Dharun Ravi may serve only 20 days in North Brunswick jail, thanks to state law

• Why the judge got it right on Dharun Ravi's sentencing

• Dharun Ravi sentence: 30 days in jail after a dramatic day in court