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New Jersey statute

N.J.S.A. 2C:33-7 — Obstructing highways and other public passages

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

Part of Chapter 33, New Jersey Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-7

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:33-7Primary source, current through the P.L.2025, c.346, and J.R.22
a. A person, who, having no legal privilege to do so, purposely or recklessly obstructs any highway or other public passage whether alone or with others, commits a petty disorderly persons offense. "Obstructs" means renders impassable without unreasonable inconvenience or hazard. No person shall be deemed guilty of recklessly obstructing in violation of this subsection solely because of a gathering of persons to hear him speak or otherwise communicate, or solely because of being a member of such a gathering. b. A person in a gathering commits a petty disorderly persons offense if he refuses to obey a reasonable official request or order to move: (1) To prevent obstruction of a highway or other public passage; or (2) To maintain public safety by dispersing those gathered in dangerous proximity to a fire or other hazard. An order to move, addressed to a person whose speech or other lawful behavior attracts an obstructing audience, shall not be deemed reasonable if the obstruction can be readily remedied by police control of the size or location of the gathering. L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:33-7, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is obstructing highways and other public passages a crime in New Jersey?

Obstructing highways and other public passages 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:33-7.

Which New Jersey statute covers obstructing highways and other public passages?

Obstructing highways and other public passages is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-7 (Obstructing highways and other public passages).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.