Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

New Jersey statute

N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22 — Unauthorized practice of law, penalties

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

Part of Chapter 21, New Jersey Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22

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:21-22Primary source, current through the P.L.2025, c.346, and J.R.22
1. a. A person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree if the person knowingly engages in the unauthorized practice of law. b. A person is guilty of a crime of the third degree if the person knowingly engages in the unauthorized practice of law and: (1) Creates or reinforces, by any means, a false impression that the person is licensed to engage in the practice of law. As used in this paragraph, "by any means" includes but is not limited to using or advertising the title of lawyer or attorney-at-law, or equivalent terms, in the English language or any other language, which mean or imply that the person is licensed as an attorney-at-law in the State of New Jersey or in any other jurisdiction of the United States; or (2) Derives a benefit; or (3) In fact causes injury to another. c. For the purposes of this section, the phrase "in fact" indicates strict liability. L.1994, c.47, s.1; amended 2011, c.209, s.1; 2014, c.48, s.1.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What degree of offense is unauthorized practice of law, penalties in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: unauthorized practice of law, penalties ranges from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the third degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22.

Unauthorized practice of law (base offense): crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22) · Unauthorized practice of law with false impression, benefit, or injury: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22)

Which New Jersey statute covers unauthorized practice of law, penalties?

Unauthorized practice of law, penalties is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22 (Unauthorized practice of law, penalties).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.