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New Jersey statute

N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4 — Falsifying or tampering with records

Current through P.L.2025, c.346, and J.R.22

Part of Chapter 21, New Jersey Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4

Statutory text current through the P.L.2025, c.346, and J.R.22. This publication reproduces the official text of the New Jersey Statutes from the statute files published by the New Jersey Legislature; it is not the official statutes of the State of New Jersey.

N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4Primary source, current through the P.L.2025, c.346, and J.R.22
a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, a person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he falsifies, destroys, removes, conceals any writing or record, or utters any writing or record knowing that it contains a false statement or information, with purpose to deceive or injure anyone or to conceal any wrongdoing. b. Issuing a false financial statement. A person is guilty of issuing a false financial statement, a crime of the third degree, when, with purpose to deceive or injure anyone or to conceal any wrongdoing; he by oath or affirmation: (1) Knowingly makes or utters a written instrument which purports to describe the financial condition or ability to pay of some person and which is inaccurate in some substantial respect; or (2) Represents in writing that a written instrument purporting to describe a person's financial condition or ability to pay as of a prior date is accurate with respect to such person's current financial condition or ability to pay, whereas, he knows it is substantially inaccurate in that respect. L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:21-4, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by L.1981, c. 290, s. 21, eff. Sept. 24, 1981.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What degree of offense is falsifying or tampering with records in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: falsifying or tampering with records ranges from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the third degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.

Falsifying, destroying, removing, concealing, or uttering a false writing or record: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4) · Issuing a false financial statement: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4)

Which New Jersey statute covers falsifying or tampering with records?

Falsifying or tampering with records is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4 (Falsifying or tampering with records).

What degree of offense is health care claims fraud, degree of crime; prosecution guidelines in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: health care claims fraud, degree of crime; prosecution guidelines ranges from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the second degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.3.

Practitioner - knowing health care claims fraud: crime of the second degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.3) · Practitioner - reckless health care claims fraud: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.3) · Non-practitioner - knowing single act of fraud: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.3) · Non-practitioner - knowing aggregated acts (5+ acts, $1,000+): crime of the second degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.3) · Non-practitioner - reckless health care claims fraud: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.3)

What degree of offense is motor vehicle title offenses, grading in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: motor vehicle title offenses, grading ranges from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the third degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.8.

General violation of chapter 10, Title 39 (no specific penalty provided): crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.8) · Enumerated title fraud violations (misrepresentation, forgery, wrongful use, etc.): crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.8)

What degree of offense is violations, penalties; temporary registration certificate, temporary license plate in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: violations, penalties; temporary registration certificate, temporary license plate ranges from a petty disorderly persons offense to a crime of the fourth degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.9.

Producing/selling temp reg/plate obtained by false information: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.9) · Exhibiting/displaying temp reg/plate obtained by false information: disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.9) · Possessing temp reg/plate obtained by false information: petty disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.9) · Producing/selling forged, altered, counterfeited, or simulated temp reg/plate: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.9) · Exhibiting/displaying forged, altered, counterfeited, or simulated temp reg/plate: disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.9) · Possessing forged, altered, counterfeited, or simulated temp reg/plate: petty disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.9)

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.