New Jersey legal term
Intoxication in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Intoxication” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the New Jersey criminal code.
What does “Intoxication” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Intoxication" means a disturbance of mental or physical capacities resulting from the introduction of substances into the body; (2) "Self-induced intoxication" means intoxication caused by substances which the actor knowingly introduces into his body, the tendency of which to cause intoxication he knows or ought to know, unless he introduces them pursuant to medical advice or under such circumstances as would afford a defense to a charge of crime; (3) "Pathological intoxication" means intoxication grossly excessive in degree, given the amount of the intoxicant, to which the actor does not k (N.J.S.A. 2C:2-8)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.