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New Jersey legal term

Serious bodily harm in New Jersey Criminal Law

Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session

In New Jersey criminal law, “Serious bodily harm” 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 “Serious bodily harm” mean in New Jersey criminal law?

"Serious bodily harm" means bodily harm which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ or which results from aggravated sexual assault or sexual assault. e. (N.J.S.A. 2C:3-11)

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.