New Jersey legal term
Offense in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Offense” 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 “Offense” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Offense" means a crime, a disorderly persons offense or a petty disorderly persons offense unless a particular section in this code is intended to apply to less than all three; l. (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-14)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Animal owned, used by law enforcement agency, search and rescue dog, harming, threatening, interference with officer, degree of crime, penalties
- Assault
- Bad checks, money orders, electronic funds transfers
- Bail jumping; default in required appearance
- Burglar's tools
- Certain actions relevant to evictions, disorderly persons offense
- Contempt
- Criminal mischief
- Deceptive business practices
- Degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property
- Endangering another person; offense created; degree of crime
- Frauds relating to public records and recordable instruments
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.