New Jersey Criminal Laws

We have reproduced below an edited version of the most commonly applied criminal laws in the State of New Jersey. A more comprehensive list of criminal laws is available in the following PDF (download PDF).

For a complete recitation of New Jersey criminal laws including up to date amendments of those laws, please go to the New Jersey Legislative web site at: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

2C:12-1     Assault.

2C:12-1.1     Knowingly leaving scene of motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury, fourth degree crime; sentencing.

2C:12-3     Terroristic threats.

2C:12-10.     Definitions; stalking designated a crime; degrees

2C:13-2.     Criminal restraint

2C:13-3.     False imprisonment

2C:13-4     Interference with custody.

2C:13-5.     Criminal coercion

2C:14-1.     Definitions

2C:14-2     Sexual assault.

2C:14-3     Aggravated criminal sexual contact; criminal sexual contact

2C:14-4.     Lewdness

2C:14-9.     Invasion of privacy, degree of crime; defenses, privileges

2C:15-1.     Robbery

2C:15-2.     Carjacking defined

2C:17-1.     Arson and related offenses

2C:17-3     Criminal mischief.

2C:17-3.1     Traffic sign, signal damage, removal, violation.

2C:17-6.     Motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty

2C:18-2.     Burglary

2C:18-3.     Unlicensed entry of structures; defiant trespasser; peering into dwelling places; defenses

2C:20-2     Consolidation of theft offenses; grading; provisions applicable to theft generally.

2C:20-3.     Theft by unlawful taking or disposition

2C:20-4.     Theft by deception

2C:20-5.     Theft by extortion

2C:20-6.     Theft of property lost, mislaid, or delivered by mistake

2C:20-7.     Receiving stolen property

2C:20-7.1.     Fencing

2C:20-8.     Theft of services

2C:20-9.     Theft by failure to make required disposition of property received

2C:20-10.     Unlawful taking of means of conveyance.

2C:20-11     Shoplifting

2C:21-1.     Forgery and Related Offenses

2C:21-2.     Criminal simulation

2C:21-2.3.     Producing, selling, offering, displaying, possessing, fraudulent motor vehicle insurance ID cards; penalties

2C:21-4.8     Motor vehicle title offenses, grading.

2C:21-5     Bad checks.

2C:21-6.     Credit cards

2C:21-17.     Impersonation; theft of identity; crime

2C:24-4     Endangering welfare of children.

2C:24-5.     Willful nonsupport

2C:24-7.     Endangering the welfare of an incompetent person

2C:25-17.     Short title

2C:25-18.     Findings, declarations

2C:25-19.     Definitions

2C:28-4.     False reports to law enforcement authorities

2C:28-5.     Tampering with witnesses and informants; retaliation against them.

2C:28-8     Impersonating a public servant or law enforcement officer.

2C:29-1.     Obstructing administration of law or other governmental function

2C:29-2.     Resisting arrest, eluding officer

2C:29-3     Hindering apprehension or prosecution.

2C:33-1.     Riot; failure to disperse

2C:33-2.     Disorderly conduct

2C:33-2.1.     "Public place" defined; loitering to obtain or distribute CDS is a disorderly persons offense

2C:33-3     False public alarms.

2C:33-4     Harassment.

2C:33-12.     Maintaining a nuisance

2C:33-12.1.     Abating nuisance

2C:33-13     Smoking in public.

2C:33-15.     Possession, consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under legal age; penalty

2C:33-16.     Alcoholic beverages; bringing or possession on school property by person of legal age; penalty

2C:33-17.     Availability of alcoholic beverages to underaged, offenses

2C:34-1.     Prostitution and related offenses

2C:34-1.1     Loitering for the purpose of engaging in prostitution

2C:35-1.     Short Title

2C:35-1.1.     Declaration of policy and legislative findings

2C:35-1.2.     Reference to Code of Criminal Justice

2C:35-2.     Definitions

2C:35-4.     Maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility

2C:35-5.     Manufacturing, distributing or dispensing

2C:35-6     Employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme

2C:35-7     Distribution on or within 1,000 feet of school property

2C:35-7.1.   Violations of N.J.S.2C:35-5, certain locations; degree of crime; terms defined

2C:35-8.     Distribution to persons under age 18; enhanced punishment

2C:35-10     Possession, use or being under the influence, or failure to make lawful disposition

2C:35-10.5.     Prescription legend drugs

2C:35-11     Imitation controlled dangerous substances; distribution, possession, manufacture, etc.; penalties

2C:35-14     Rehabilitation program for drug and alcohol dependent persons; criteria for imposing special probation; ineligible offenders; prosecutorial objections; mandatory commitment to residential treatment facilities; presumption of revocation; brief incarceration in lieu of permanent revocation.

2C:35-16.     Mandatory forfeiture or postponement of driving privileges

2C:35-24.     Possession of certain prescription drugs

2C:36-1.     Drug paraphernalia, defined; determination

2C:36-2.     Use or possession with intent to use, disorderly persons offense

2C:36-3.     Distribute, dispense or possession with intent to distribute or manufacture, crime of fourth degree

2C:36-4.     Advertising to promote sale, crime of fourth degree

2C:36-5.     Delivering drug paraphernalia to person under 18 years of age, crime of third degree

2C:36-6.     Possession or distribution of hypodermic syringe or needle

2C:36A-1.     Conditional discharge for certain first offenses; expunging of records

2C:39-1     Definitions.

2C:39-2.     Presumptions

2C:39-3.     Prohibited weapons and devices

2C:39-4.     Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes

2C:39-4.1     Weapons; controlled dangerous substances and other offenses, penalties.

2C:39-5.     Unlawful possession of weapons

2C:39-6.     Exemptions

2C:40-22     Penalty for causing death or injury while driving in violation of R.S.39:3-40.