New Jersey legal term
Lewdness in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Lewdness” 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 “Lewdness” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Lewdness" means the exposing of the genitals for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person. "Intimate parts" means the following body parts: sexual organs, genital area, anal area, inner thigh, groin, buttock or breast of a person. "Stalking" means purposefully or knowingly engaging in a course of conduct directed at or toward a person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the reasonable person's own safety or the safety of a third person, or suffer other emotional distress, because the conduct involves: repeatedly maintaining (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-14)
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.