New Jersey criminal charge
Harassment in New Jersey
Harassment is a criminal offense under New Jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4. 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:33-4.
What is the penalty for harassment in New Jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 days (Harassment - base offense — Applies when a person, with purpose to harass another, engages in conduct under subsections a., b., or c., except as otherwise provided in subsection e.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Fine | up to $500 (Harassment - base offense — Applies when a person, with purpose to harass another, engages in conduct under subsections a., b., or c., except as otherwise provided in subsection e.) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (Harassment - by incarcerated/probationer/parolee or directed at judge — Applies when the harassment offense is committed by a person serving a prison term, on parole or probation for an indictable offense, or when the action is knowingly directed at a current or former judge relating to the judge's public duties.; 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 (Harassment - by incarcerated/probationer/parolee or directed at judge — Applies when the harassment offense is committed by a person serving a prison term, on parole or probation for an indictable offense, or when the action is knowingly directed at a current or former judge relating to the judge's public duties.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
Applies to current.
How is harassment classified in New Jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harassment - base offense | Petty Disorderly Persons Offense | Applies when a person, with purpose to harass another, engages in conduct under subsections a., b., or c., except as otherwise provided in subsection e. | N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4undefined |
| Harassment - by incarcerated/probationer/parolee or directed at judge | Crime of the Fourth Degree | Applies when the harassment offense is committed by a person serving a prison term, on parole or probation for an indictable offense, or when the action is knowingly directed at a current or former judge relating to the judge's public duties. | N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4undefined |
Common questions about harassment in New Jersey
What degree of offense is harassment in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: harassment ranges from a Petty Disorderly Persons Offense to a Crime of the Fourth Degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4.
Harassment - base offense: Petty Disorderly Persons Offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4) · Harassment - by incarcerated/probationer/parolee or directed at judge: Crime of the Fourth Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4)
What are the penalties for harassment in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey statute covers harassment?
Harassment is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 (Harassment).
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.