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New Jersey statute

N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4 — Classes of offenses

Current through P.L.2025, c.346, and J.R.22

Part of Chapter 1, New Jersey Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4

Statutory text current through the P.L.2025, c.346, and J.R.22. This publication reproduces the official text of the New Jersey Statutes from the statute files published by the New Jersey Legislature; it is not the official statutes of the State of New Jersey.

N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4Primary source, current through the P.L.2025, c.346, and J.R.22
2C:1-4. Classes of Offenses. a. (1) An offense defined by this code or by any other statute of this State, for which a sentence of imprisonment in excess of 6 months is authorized, constitutes a crime within the meaning of the Constitution of this State. Crimes are designated in this code as being of the first, second, third or fourth degree. (2) An offense defined by the laws of any other jurisdiction, for which a sentence of imprisonment in excess of one year is authorized, shall be considered in this State to be a crime when a reference is made by this code, or by any other statute of this State, to such offense. b. (1) An offense is a disorderly persons offense if it is so designated in this code or in a statute other than this code. An offense is a petty disorderly persons offense if it is so designated in this code or in a statute other than this code. Disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offenses are petty offenses and are not crimes within the meaning of the Constitution of this State. There shall be no right to indictment by a grand jury nor any right to trial by jury on such offenses. Conviction of such offenses shall not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction of a crime. (2) (a) An offense defined by the laws of any other jurisdiction, for which a sentence of imprisonment of one year or less, but more than 30 days, is authorized, shall be considered in this State to be a disorderly persons offense when a reference is made by this code, or by any other statute of this State, to such offense. (b) An offense defined by the laws of any other jurisdiction, for which a sentence of imprisonment of 30 days or less is authorized, shall be considered in this State to be a petty disorderly persons offense when a reference is made by this code, or by any other statute of this State, to such offense. c. An offense defined by any statute of this State other than this code shall be classified as provided in this section or in section 2C:43-1 and, except as provided in subsection b. of 2C:1-5 and chapter 43, the sentence that may be imposed upon conviction thereof shall hereafter be governed by this code. Insofar as any provision of this State outside the code declares an offense to be a misdemeanor when such offense specifically provides a maximum penalty of 6 months' imprisonment or less, whether or not in combination with a fine, such provision shall constitute a disorderly persons offense. d. Subject to the provisions of section 2C:43-1, reference in any statute, rule, or regulation of this State outside the code to the term "high misdemeanor" shall mean crimes of the first, second, or third degree and reference to the term "misdemeanor" shall mean all crimes. L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:1-4, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by L.1979, c. 178, s. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1979; L.1981, c. 290, s. 1, eff. Sept. 24, 1981; 2021, c.298, s.1.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is availability of alcoholic beverages to underaged, offenses a crime in New Jersey?

Availability of alcoholic beverages to underaged, offenses is a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, which is not a crime under the New Jersey Constitution (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) — it carries no criminal record and is heard in municipal court. Governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-17.

Is bigamy a crime in New Jersey?

Bigamy is a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, which is not a crime under the New Jersey Constitution (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) — it carries no criminal record and is heard in municipal court. Governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:24-1.

Is bringing alcoholic beverages, cannabis items onto school property; disorderly person a crime in New Jersey?

Bringing alcoholic beverages, cannabis items onto school property; disorderly person is a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, which is not a crime under the New Jersey Constitution (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) — it carries no criminal record and is heard in municipal court. Governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-16.

Is classes of offenses a crime in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: classes of offenses ranges from a petty disorderly persons offense to a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4.

Disorderly persons offense — general designation: disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) · Petty disorderly persons offense — general designation: petty disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) · Foreign jurisdiction offense treated as disorderly persons offense (1 yr or less, more than 30 days): disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) · Foreign jurisdiction offense treated as petty disorderly persons offense (30 days or less): petty disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) · Non-code misdemeanor treated as disorderly persons offense (max 6 months): disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4)

Which New Jersey statute covers classes of offenses?

Classes of offenses is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4 (Classes of offenses).

Is consumer products; unauthorized writing, offense a crime in New Jersey?

Consumer products; unauthorized writing, offense is a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, which is not a crime under the New Jersey Constitution (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) — it carries no criminal record and is heard in municipal court. Governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:40-19.

Is creating a hazard a crime in New Jersey?

Creating a hazard is a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, which is not a crime under the New Jersey Constitution (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) — it carries no criminal record and is heard in municipal court. Governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:40-1.

Is desecration of venerated objects a crime in New Jersey?

Desecration of venerated objects is a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, which is not a crime under the New Jersey Constitution (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) — it carries no criminal record and is heard in municipal court. Governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-9.

Is discarding hypodermic needle or syringe a crime in New Jersey?

Discarding hypodermic needle or syringe is a petty disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, which is not a crime under the New Jersey Constitution (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) — it carries no criminal record and is heard in municipal court. Governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:36-6.1.

Is disorderly persons offense a crime in New Jersey?

Disorderly persons offense is a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, which is not a crime under the New Jersey Constitution (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4) — it carries no criminal record and is heard in municipal court. Governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:21-7.4.

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.