New Jersey legal term
Public in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Public” 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 “Public” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Public" means affecting or likely to affect persons in a place to which the public or a substantial group has access; among the places included are highways, transport facilities, schools, prisons, apartment houses, places of business or amusement, or any neighborhood. L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:33-2, eff. (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Assault
- Certain actions relevant to evictions, disorderly persons offense
- Criminal mischief
- Deceptive business practices
- Frauds relating to public records and recordable instruments
- Harassment
- Motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty
- Offense relative to access of information indicating the location of law enforcement vehicles
- Shoplifting
- Tampering with public records or information
- Theft of services
- Unlicensed entry of structures; defiant trespasser; peering into dwelling places; defenses
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.