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New jersey criminal charge

Disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses in New jersey

Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session

Disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses is a criminal offense under New jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1. 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:22-1.

What is the penalty for disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses in New jersey?

Penalties for Disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison5 years to 10 years (Unlawful disturbance, desecration, or sexual violation of human remains — Applies when a person unlawfully disturbs, moves, conceals, desecrates, damages, destroys, or commits sexual penetration/contact upon human remains.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d)))presumptiveN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Fineup to 150000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Unlawful disturbance, desecration, or sexual violation of human remains — Applies when a person unlawfully disturbs, moves, conceals, desecrates, damages, destroys, or commits sexual penetration/contact upon human remains.; 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 (Failure to properly dispose of human remains — Applies when a person purposely or knowingly fails to dispose of human remains in the manner required by law.; 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) (Failure to properly dispose of human remains — Applies when a person purposely or knowingly fails to dispose of human remains in the manner required by law.; 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 disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses classified in New jersey?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Unlawful disturbance, desecration, or sexual violation of human remainscrime of the second degreeApplies when a person unlawfully disturbs, moves, conceals, desecrates, damages, destroys, or commits sexual penetration/contact upon human remains.N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1undefined
Failure to properly dispose of human remainscrime of the third degreeApplies when a person purposely or knowingly fails to dispose of human remains in the manner required by law.N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1undefined

Common questions about disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses in New jersey

What degree of offense is disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses ranges from a crime of the third degree to a crime of the second degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1.

Unlawful disturbance, desecration, or sexual violation of human remains: crime of the second degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1undefined) · Failure to properly dispose of human remains: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1undefined)

What are the penalties for disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses in New Jersey?

Penalties for disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses 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 disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses?

Disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1 (Disturbing, desecrating human remains; offenses).

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.