Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

New jersey criminal charge

Compounding in New jersey

Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session

Compounding is a criminal offense under New jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4. Its classification is not fixed: New jersey assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4.

What is the penalty for compounding in New jersey?

Penalties for Compounding
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison5 years to 10 years (Compounding — benefit over $200 — Applies when the pecuniary benefit accepted, agreed to be accepted, conferred, or agreed to be conferred exceeds $200.00.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d)))presumptiveN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Fineup to 150000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Compounding — benefit over $200 — Applies when the pecuniary benefit accepted, agreed to be accepted, conferred, or agreed to be conferred exceeds $200.00.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Jail / prison3 years to 5 years (Compounding — benefit of $200 or less — Applies when the thing of value accepted, agreed to be accepted, conferred or agreed to be conferred is a benefit of $200.00 or less.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs))presumptiveN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Fineup to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Compounding — benefit of $200 or less — Applies when the thing of value accepted, agreed to be accepted, conferred or agreed to be conferred is a benefit of $200.00 or less.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6

Applies to current.

How is compounding classified in New jersey?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Compounding
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Compounding — benefit over $200crime of the second degreeApplies when the pecuniary benefit accepted, agreed to be accepted, conferred, or agreed to be conferred exceeds $200.00.N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4undefined
Compounding — benefit of $200 or lesscrime of the third degreeApplies when the thing of value accepted, agreed to be accepted, conferred or agreed to be conferred is a benefit of $200.00 or less.N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4undefined

Common questions about compounding in New jersey

What degree of offense is compounding in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: compounding ranges from a crime of the third degree to a crime of the second degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4.

Compounding — benefit over $200: crime of the second degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4undefined) · Compounding — benefit of $200 or less: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4undefined)

What are the penalties for compounding in New Jersey?

Penalties for compounding in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a crime of the third degree up to a crime of the second degree — with the ranges set by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which New Jersey statute covers compounding?

Compounding is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4 (Compounding).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.