New Jersey legal term
Domestic violence in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Domestic violence” 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 “Domestic violence” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Domestic violence" means the occurrence of one or more of the following acts inflicted upon a person protected under this act by an adult or an emancipated minor: (1) Homicide N.J.S.2C:11-1 et seq. (2) Assault N.J.S.2C:12-1 (3) Terroristic threats N.J.S.2C:12-3 (4) Kidnapping N.J.S.2C:13-1 (5) Criminal restraint N.J.S.2C:13-2 (6) False imprisonment N.J.S.2C:13-3 (7) Sexual assault N.J.S.2C:14-2 (8) Criminal sexual contact N.J.S.2C:14-3 (9) Lewdness N.J.S.2C:14-4 (10) Criminal mischief N.J.S.2C:17-3 (11) Burglary N.J.S.2C:18-2 (12) Criminal trespass N.J.S.2 (N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19)
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.