New Jersey legal term
Public servant in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Public servant” 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 servant” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Public servant" means any officer or employee of government, including legislators and judges, and any person participating as juror, advisor, consultant or otherwise, in performing a governmental function, but the term does not include witnesses; h. (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Frauds relating to public records and recordable instruments
- Impersonating a public servant or law enforcement officer
- Obstructing administration of law or other governmental function
- Resisting arrest, eluding officer
- Riot; failure to disperse
- Unsworn falsification to authorities
- Acceptance or receipt of unlawful benefit by public servant for official behavior
- Bribery in official and political matters
- Crime of cyber-harassment
- Crime of official deprivation of civil rights
- Escape
- Offer of unlawful benefit to public servant for official behavior
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.