New Jersey legal term
Cause a reasonable person to fear in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Cause a reasonable person to fear” 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 “Cause a reasonable person to fear” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Cause a reasonable person to fear" means to cause fear which a reasonable victim, similarly situated, would have under the circumstances. b. (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.