New jersey criminal charge
Falsifying or tampering with records in New jersey
Falsifying or tampering with records is a criminal offense under New jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4. Its classification is not fixed: New jersey assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.
What is the penalty for falsifying or tampering with records in New jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (no statutory minimum) (Falsifying, destroying, removing, concealing, or uttering a false writing or record — Applies when a person falsifies, destroys, removes, or conceals any writing or record, or utters a writing or record known to contain false information, with purpose to deceive or injure or conceal wrongdoing, unless the false financial statement provision applies.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 10000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Falsifying, destroying, removing, concealing, or uttering a false writing or record — Applies when a person falsifies, destroys, removes, or conceals any writing or record, or utters a writing or record known to contain false information, with purpose to deceive or injure or conceal wrongdoing, unless the false financial statement provision applies.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Issuing a false financial statement — Applies when a person, by oath or affirmation, knowingly makes/utters or represents as accurate a written instrument describing financial condition or ability to pay that is substantially inaccurate, with purpose to deceive or injure or conceal wrongdoing.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Issuing a false financial statement — Applies when a person, by oath or affirmation, knowingly makes/utters or represents as accurate a written instrument describing financial condition or ability to pay that is substantially inaccurate, with purpose to deceive or injure or conceal wrongdoing.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
Applies to current.
How is falsifying or tampering with records classified in New jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falsifying, destroying, removing, concealing, or uttering a false writing or record | crime of the fourth degree | Applies when a person falsifies, destroys, removes, or conceals any writing or record, or utters a writing or record known to contain false information, with purpose to deceive or injure or conceal wrongdoing, unless the false financial statement provision applies. | N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4undefined |
| Issuing a false financial statement | crime of the third degree | Applies when a person, by oath or affirmation, knowingly makes/utters or represents as accurate a written instrument describing financial condition or ability to pay that is substantially inaccurate, with purpose to deceive or injure or conceal wrongdoing. | N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4undefined |
Common questions about falsifying or tampering with records in New jersey
What degree of offense is falsifying or tampering with records in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: falsifying or tampering with records ranges from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the third degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.
Falsifying, destroying, removing, concealing, or uttering a false writing or record: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4) · Issuing a false financial statement: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4)
What are the penalties for falsifying or tampering with records in New Jersey?
Penalties for falsifying or tampering with records in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a crime of the fourth degree up to a crime of the third degree — with the ranges set by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which New Jersey statute covers falsifying or tampering with records?
Falsifying or tampering with records is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4 (Falsifying or tampering with records).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.