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New Jersey statute

N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7 — Bail jumping; default in required appearance

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

Part of Chapter 29, New Jersey Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7

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:29-7Primary source, current through the P.L.2025, c.346, and J.R.22
A person set at liberty by court order, with or without bail, or who has been issued a summons, upon condition that he will subsequently appear at a specified time and place in connection with any offense or any violation of law punishable by a period of incarceration, commits an offense if, without lawful excuse, he fails to appear at that time and place. It is an affirmative defense for the defendant to prove, by a preponderance of evidence, that he did not knowingly fail to appear. The offense constitutes a crime of the third degree where the required appearance was to answer to a charge of a crime of the third degree or greater, or for disposition of any such charge and the actor took flight or went into hiding to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment. The offense constitutes a crime of the fourth degree where the required appearance was otherwise to answer to a charge of crime or for disposition of such charge. The offense constitutes a disorderly persons offense or a petty disorderly persons offense, respectively, when the required appearance was to answer a charge of such an offense or for disposition of any such charge. Where the bail imposed or summons issued is in connection with any other violation of law, the failure to appear shall be a disorderly persons offense. This section does not apply to obligations to appear incident to release under suspended sentence or on probation or parole. Nothing herein shall interfere with or prevent the exercise by any court of this State of its power to punish for contempt. L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:29-7, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by L.1981, c. 290, s. 32, eff. Sept. 24, 1981.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What degree of offense is bail jumping; default in required appearance in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: bail jumping; default in required appearance ranges from a petty disorderly persons offense to a crime of the third degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7.

Failure to appear on charge of crime of third degree or greater, with flight or hiding: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7) · Failure to appear on other charge of crime: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7) · Failure to appear on disorderly persons charge: disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7) · Failure to appear on petty disorderly persons charge: petty disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7) · Failure to appear on other violation of law: disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7)

Which New Jersey statute covers bail jumping; default in required appearance?

Bail jumping; default in required appearance is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7 (Bail jumping; default in required appearance).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.