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New jersey criminal charge

Hazing in New jersey

Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session

Hazing is a criminal offense under New jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3. 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:40-3.

What is the penalty for hazing in New jersey?

Penalties for Hazing
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison3 years to 5 years (Hazing resulting in death or serious bodily injury — Applies when an act prohibited under subsection a. results in death or serious bodily injury to another person.; 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) (Hazing resulting in death or serious bodily injury — Applies when an act prohibited under subsection a. results in death or serious bodily injury to another person.; 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) (Hazing resulting in bodily injury — Applies when an act prohibited under subsection a. results in bodily injury (but not death or serious bodily injury) to another person.; 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) (Hazing resulting in bodily injury — Applies when an act prohibited under subsection a. results in bodily injury (but not death or serious bodily injury) to another person.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3))discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Jail / prisonup to 6 months (no statutory minimum) (Hazing without resulting injury — Applies when an act prohibited under subsection a. results in no death, serious bodily injury, or bodily injury to another person.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-8
Fineup to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Hazing without resulting injury — Applies when an act prohibited under subsection a. results in no death, serious bodily injury, or bodily injury to another person.)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-8

Applies to current.

How is hazing classified in New jersey?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Hazing
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Hazing resulting in death or serious bodily injurycrime of the third degreeApplies when an act prohibited under subsection a. results in death or serious bodily injury to another person.N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3undefined
Hazing resulting in bodily injurycrime of the fourth degreeApplies when an act prohibited under subsection a. results in bodily injury (but not death or serious bodily injury) to another person.N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3undefined
Hazing without resulting injurydisorderly persons offenseApplies when an act prohibited under subsection a. results in no death, serious bodily injury, or bodily injury to another person.N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3undefined

Common questions about hazing in New jersey

What degree of offense is hazing in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: hazing ranges from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the third degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3.

Hazing resulting in death or serious bodily injury: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3undefined) · Hazing resulting in bodily injury: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3undefined) · Hazing without resulting injury: disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3undefined)

What are the penalties for hazing in New Jersey?

Penalties for hazing in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a disorderly persons offense up to a crime of the third degree — with the ranges set by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 and N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which New Jersey statute covers hazing?

Hazing is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3 (Hazing).

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.