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New jersey criminal charge

Criminalization, degree of crime in New jersey

Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session

Criminalization, degree of crime is a criminal offense under New jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.3a. 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:35-10.3a.

What is the penalty for criminalization, degree of crime in New jersey?

Penalties for Criminalization, degree of crime
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison3 years to 5 years (Possession/obtaining - one ounce or more — Applies when the quantity of the specified substance obtained or possessed is one ounce or more.; 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) (Possession/obtaining - one ounce or more — Applies when the quantity of the specified substance obtained or possessed is one ounce or more.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Jail / prisonup to 18 months (no statutory minimum) (Possession/obtaining - less than one ounce — Applies when the quantity of the specified substance obtained or possessed is less than one ounce.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs))discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Fineup to 10000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Possession/obtaining - less than one ounce — Applies when the quantity of the specified substance obtained or possessed is less than one ounce.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3))discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6

Applies to current.

How is criminalization, degree of crime classified in New jersey?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Criminalization, degree of crime
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Possession/obtaining - one ounce or morecrime of the third degreeApplies when the quantity of the specified substance obtained or possessed is one ounce or more.N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.3aundefined
Possession/obtaining - less than one ouncecrime of the fourth degreeApplies when the quantity of the specified substance obtained or possessed is less than one ounce.N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.3aundefined

Common questions about criminalization, degree of crime in New jersey

What degree of offense is criminalization, degree of crime in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: criminalization, degree of crime ranges from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the third degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.3a.

Possession/obtaining - one ounce or more: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.3aundefined) · Possession/obtaining - less than one ounce: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.3aundefined)

What are the penalties for criminalization, degree of crime in New Jersey?

Penalties for criminalization, degree of crime in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a crime of the fourth degree up to a crime of the third 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 criminalization, degree of crime?

Criminalization, degree of crime is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.3a (Criminalization, degree of crime).

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.