New Jersey criminal charge
Crime of corruption of public resources; grading in New Jersey
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
Crime of corruption of public resources; grading is a criminal offense under New Jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12. 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:27-12.
What is the penalty for crime of corruption of public resources; grading in New Jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 10 years to 20 years (Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, $500,000 or more — The public resource is subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $500,000 or more.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $200,000 (Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, $500,000 or more — The public resource is subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $500,000 or more.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 10 years (Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, $75,000 to under $500,000 — The public resource is subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $75,000 or more but less than $500,000.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, $75,000 to under $500,000 — The public resource is subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $75,000 or more but less than $500,000.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, under $75,000 — The public resource is subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is less than $75,000.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $15,000 (Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, under $75,000 — The public resource is subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is less than $75,000.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 10 years (Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, $500,000 or more — The public resource is not subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $500,000 or more.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, $500,000 or more — The public resource is not subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $500,000 or more.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, $75,000 to under $500,000 — The public resource is not subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $75,000 or more but less than $500,000.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $15,000 (Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, $75,000 to under $500,000 — The public resource is not subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $75,000 or more but less than $500,000.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, under $75,000 — The public resource is not subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is less than $75,000.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, under $75,000 — The public resource is not subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is less than $75,000.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 10 years (False representation to government agency — $500,000 or more — A person makes a material false representation to obtain/retain a public resource or to mislead as to its use, and the amount or value involved is $500,000 or more.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (False representation to government agency — $500,000 or more — A person makes a material false representation to obtain/retain a public resource or to mislead as to its use, and the amount or value involved is $500,000 or more.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (False representation to government agency — $75,000 to under $500,000 — A person makes a material false representation to obtain/retain a public resource or to mislead as to its use, and the amount or value involved is $75,000 or more but less than $500,000.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $15,000 (False representation to government agency — $75,000 to under $500,000 — A person makes a material false representation to obtain/retain a public resource or to mislead as to its use, and the amount or value involved is $75,000 or more but less than $500,000.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (False representation to government agency — under $75,000 — A person makes a material false representation to obtain/retain a public resource or to mislead as to its use, and the amount or value involved is less than $75,000.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (False representation to government agency — under $75,000 — A person makes a material false representation to obtain/retain a public resource or to mislead as to its use, and the amount or value involved is less than $75,000.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
Applies to current.
How is crime of corruption of public resources; grading classified in New Jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, $500,000 or more | Crime of the First Degree | The public resource is subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $500,000 or more. | N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12undefined |
| Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, $75,000 to under $500,000 | Crime of the Second Degree | The public resource is subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $75,000 or more but less than $500,000. | N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12undefined |
| Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, under $75,000 | Crime of the Third Degree | The public resource is subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is less than $75,000. | N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12undefined |
| Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, $500,000 or more | Crime of the Second Degree | The public resource is not subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $500,000 or more. | N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12undefined |
| Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, $75,000 to under $500,000 | Crime of the Third Degree | The public resource is not subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is $75,000 or more but less than $500,000. | N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12undefined |
| Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, under $75,000 | Crime of the Fourth Degree | The public resource is not subject to an obligation to perform or facilitate a governmental function or public service and the amount or value involved is less than $75,000. | N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12undefined |
| False representation to government agency — $500,000 or more | Crime of the Second Degree | A person makes a material false representation to obtain/retain a public resource or to mislead as to its use, and the amount or value involved is $500,000 or more. | N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12undefined |
| False representation to government agency — $75,000 to under $500,000 | Crime of the Third Degree | A person makes a material false representation to obtain/retain a public resource or to mislead as to its use, and the amount or value involved is $75,000 or more but less than $500,000. | N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12undefined |
| False representation to government agency — under $75,000 | Crime of the Fourth Degree | A person makes a material false representation to obtain/retain a public resource or to mislead as to its use, and the amount or value involved is less than $75,000. | N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12undefined |
Common questions about crime of corruption of public resources; grading in New Jersey
What degree of offense is crime of corruption of public resources; grading in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: crime of corruption of public resources; grading ranges from a Crime of the Fourth Degree to a Crime of the First Degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12.
Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, $500,000 or more: Crime of the First Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12) · Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, $75,000 to under $500,000: Crime of the Second Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12) · Corruption of public resources — governmental function resource, under $75,000: Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12) · Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, $500,000 or more: Crime of the Second Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12) · Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, $75,000 to under $500,000: Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12) · Corruption of public resources — non-governmental function resource, under $75,000: Crime of the Fourth Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12) · False representation to government agency — $500,000 or more: Crime of the Second Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12) · False representation to government agency — $75,000 to under $500,000: Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12) · False representation to government agency — under $75,000: Crime of the Fourth Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12)
What are the penalties for crime of corruption of public resources; grading in New Jersey?
Penalties for crime of corruption of public resources; grading in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a Crime of the Fourth Degree up to a Crime of the First 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 crime of corruption of public resources; grading?
Crime of corruption of public resources; grading is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12 (Crime of corruption of public resources; grading).
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.