New jersey criminal charge
Offenses involving false government documents in New jersey
Offenses involving false government documents is a criminal offense under New jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1. 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:21-2.1.
What is the penalty for offenses involving false government documents in New jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 10 years (Sale/transfer of false government document — A person knowingly sells, offers/exposes for sale, or transfers, or possesses with intent to sell/transfer, a false government-issued identity/age document.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 150000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Sale/transfer of false government document — A person knowingly sells, offers/exposes for sale, or transfers, or possesses with intent to sell/transfer, a false government-issued identity/age document.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 10 years (Manufacture or possession of devices to make false document — A person knowingly makes, or possesses devices/materials to make, a false government-issued identity/age document.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 150000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Manufacture or possession of devices to make false document — A person knowingly makes, or possesses devices/materials to make, a false government-issued identity/age document.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Exhibit, display or utter false document — A person knowingly exhibits, displays, or utters a false government-issued identity/age document.; 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) (Exhibit, display or utter false document — A person knowingly exhibits, displays, or utters a false government-issued identity/age document.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (no statutory minimum) (Possession of false document — A person knowingly possesses a false government-issued identity/age document.; 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) (Possession of false document — A person knowingly possesses a false government-issued identity/age document.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
Applies to current.
How is offenses involving false government documents classified in New jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sale/transfer of false government document | crime of the second degree | A person knowingly sells, offers/exposes for sale, or transfers, or possesses with intent to sell/transfer, a false government-issued identity/age document. | N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1undefined |
| Manufacture or possession of devices to make false document | crime of the second degree | A person knowingly makes, or possesses devices/materials to make, a false government-issued identity/age document. | N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1undefined |
| Exhibit, display or utter false document | crime of the third degree | A person knowingly exhibits, displays, or utters a false government-issued identity/age document. | N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1undefined |
| Possession of false document | crime of the fourth degree | A person knowingly possesses a false government-issued identity/age document. | N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1undefined |
Common questions about offenses involving false government documents in New jersey
What degree of offense is offenses involving false government documents in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: offenses involving false government documents ranges from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the second degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1.
Sale/transfer of false government document: crime of the second degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1) · Manufacture or possession of devices to make false document: crime of the second degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1) · Exhibit, display or utter false document: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1) · Possession of false document: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1)
What are the penalties for offenses involving false government documents in New Jersey?
Penalties for offenses involving false government documents in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a crime of the fourth degree up to a crime of the second 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 offenses involving false government documents?
Offenses involving false government documents is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1 (Offenses involving false government documents).
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.