{"id":375082,"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-jerseys-first-degree-murder-law.html"},"modified":"2025-05-16T10:03:59","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T15:03:59","slug":"new-jerseys-first-degree-murder-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jerseys-first-degree-murder-law.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey First-Degree Murder Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Jersey First-Degree Murder Law<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/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

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New Jersey defines murder as purposely or knowingly causing the death of another person or causing serious bodily injury that results in death. This classification is akin to first-degree murder in other states, which usually includes premeditation or specific intent. It also includes the felony murder rule. The penalties for first-degree murder in New Jersey range from a minimum of 30 years to life imprisonment, with certain aggravating circumstances potentially leading to life without parole.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

In criminal law, a homicide<\/a> occurs when a person kills another human being, regardless of intent. Like other states, New Jersey recognizes different types of criminal homicide<\/a>, including murder, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide. But unlike most states, New Jersey law does not recognize different degrees of murder, such as second-degree murder.<\/p>\r\n

In New Jersey, the most serious type of homicide is murder. It is comparable to first-degree murder charges in other states, where the defendant purposely or knowingly causes someone’s death.<\/p>\r\n

A murder charge is different from a manslaughter charge, which typically involves recklessness or disregard for the risk of death.<\/p>\r\n

In this article, we\u2019ll discuss New Jersey\u2019s "first-degree" murder laws, including the definition of this crime and its penalties. If you are facing criminal charges of any kind, contact a local criminal defense attorney<\/a> as soon as you can. They can explain how state law applies to your circumstances and walk you through your options.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey\u2019s First-Degree Murder Laws at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The following table highlights the main provisions of New Jersey’s murder laws. We explain the state’s approach to murder charges in more detail below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code Sections<\/b><\/td>\r\nNew Jersey Statutes Annotated (NJSA) Sections 2C:11-3<\/a>; 2C:11-3c<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Definition of murder<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Criminal homicide constitutes murder when the defendant purposely or knowingly causes death or serious bodily injury resulting in death.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Felony murder<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

If the defendant or a co-conspirator causes the death of any person during the commission of certain felonies, the state can charge them with murder.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Minimum mandatory prison sentence of 30 years to life imprisonment<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Enhanced penalties apply in the following situations:<\/p>\r\n