If you have been charged in New Jersey, the complaint or indictment cites the statute by its Title 2C section number. This index lists the sections we see most often, with a plain caption of what each covers. Use your browser's find function (Ctrl+F, or Cmd+F on a Mac) to search by number or keyword. Each row links the New Jersey Legislature's official statutes database, where searching the section number brings up the full current text.
Reference only. This page is an index, not legal advice, and reading a statute is not the same as knowing how courts apply it. The full text of every section is published by the New Jersey Legislature; always rely on the current official text. If you are facing a charge, talk to a defense attorney about how the statute and the case law around it apply to your facts.
| Statute | What it covers | Full text |
|---|---|---|
| N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4 | Classes of offenses | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:1-6 | Time limitations | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:1-8 | Method of prosecution when conduct constitutes more than one offense | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:1-13 | Proof beyond a reasonable doubt; affirmative defenses; burden of proving fact when not an element of an offense | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:2-2 | General requirements of culpability | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:2-6 | Liability for conduct of another; complicity | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:2-7 | Liability of corporations and persons acting, or under a duty to act, in their behalf | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:2-8 | Intoxication | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:2-10 | Consent | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:2-12 | Entrapment | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:3-3 | Execution of public duty | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4 | Use of force in self-protection | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:3-5 | Use of force for the protection of other persons | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:3-6 | Use of force in defense of premises or personal property | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:3-9 | Mistake of law as to unlawfulness of force or legality of arrest; reckless or negligent use of excessive but otherwise justifiable force; reckless or negligent injury or risk of injury to innocent persons | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:4-1 | Insanity defense | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:4-11 | Immaturity excluding criminal conviction; transfer of proceedings to family court | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 | Criminal attempt | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 | Conspiracy. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5 | Burglar's tools | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:5-6 | Motor vehicle master keys | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:6-1 | Persons accused of minor offenses | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:11-2 | Criminal homicide | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3 | Murder. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4 | Manslaughter. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5 | Death by auto or vessel. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1 | Knowingly leaving scene of motor vehicle accident resulting in death, second degree crime. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 | Assault. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.1 | Knowingly leaving scene of motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury, third degree crime. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:12-2 | Reckless endangerment | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3 | Terroristic threats. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10 | Definitions; stalking designated a crime; degrees. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:13-4 | Interference with custody. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:13-9 | Second degree crime; penalties. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2 | Sexual assault. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4 | Lewdness | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1 | Robbery | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3 | Criminal mischief. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2 | Burglary. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3 | Theft by unlawful taking or disposition | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4 | Theft by deception | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:20-5 | Theft by extortion | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7 | Receiving stolen property. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11 | Shoplifting. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:21-7 | Deceptive business practices | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:21-7.4 | Disorderly persons offense | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:21-9 | Misconduct by corporate official | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17 | Impersonation; theft of identity; crime. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25 | Money laundering, illegal investment, crime | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4 | Endangering welfare of children. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:25-22 | Immunity from civil liability | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:25-23 | Dissemination of notice to victim of domestic violence | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:27-2 | Bribery in official and political matters | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1 | Obstructing administration of law or other governmental function | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2 | Resisting arrest, eluding officer | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3 | Hindering apprehension or prosecution. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 | Disorderly conduct | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 | Harassment. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15 | Possession, consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under legal age; penalty. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:33-17 | Availability of alcoholic beverages to underaged, offenses | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 | Manufacturing, distributing or dispensing | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7 | Distribution on or within 1,000 feet of school property. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:35-30 | Immunity from liability, certain circumstances, for persons seeking medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug overdose. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2 | Use or possession with intent to use, disorderly persons offense | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3 | Distribute, dispense or possess with intent to distribute or manufacture, crime of fourth degree | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:36-6 | Possession or distribution of hypodermic syringe or needle | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3 | Hazing; aggravated hazing | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:40-26 | Operating motor vehicle during period of license suspension, fourth degree crime. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:40A-2 | Violation of contract to pay employees | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:40A-3 | Wrongful discharge of employee | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:43-5.1 | Crimes committed by students, notification to principal, certain circumstances. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:47-5 | Parole | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:51-2 | Forfeiture of public office, position, or employment. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 | Definition of expungement) | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2 | Indictable offenses. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:52-4 | Ordinances | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27 | Effect of expungement | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 | Purchase of firearms. | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:104-4 | Arrest with warrant | Official text |
| N.J.S.A. 2C:104-5 | Arrest without warrant | Official text |
Read the cited subsection with the complaint and discovery
A section number is only the starting point. Counsel can confirm the charged subsection and degree, compare the statutory elements with the probable-cause statement and discovery, and identify suppression, identification, intent, grading, diversion, and sentencing questions that the index cannot answer. Bring the complaint or indictment, summons, release papers, next court notice, and every discovery item already provided. The criminal defense practice can review that record before a plea or other response is chosen.