New Jersey legal term
Biological agent in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Biological agent” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the New Jersey criminal code.
What does “Biological agent” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Biological agent" means any microorganism, virus, bacteria, rickettsiae, fungi, toxin, infectious substance or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology, or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any such microorganism, virus, bacteria, rickettsiae, fungi, infectious substance or biological product, capable of causing: (a) death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant, or another living organism; or (b) deterioration of food, water, equipment, supplies, or material of any kind; or (c) deleterious alteration of the (N.J.S.A. 2C:38-3)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.