{"id":374993,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:59","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-criminal-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-18T13:04:39","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T18:04:39","slug":"new-jersey-criminal-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-criminal-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Criminal Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n New Jersey Criminal Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Like most states, New Jersey has an extensive penal code. The New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice defines every action considered criminal behavior in New Jersey. These codes are found in the New Jersey Statutes Title 2C<\/a>. New Jersey laws attempt to balance the safety of its citizens with fair trials for all.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey separates its crimes into different classifications to indicate severity, as other jurisdictions also do. However, New Jersey law veers away from using the traditional terms of felony, misdemeanor, and infractions. Instead, offenses are grouped under the following headings<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n