# N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-2: Criminal restraint

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-2

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-2
- **Heading:** Criminal restraint
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 2C / Chapter 13 / Section 13-2

## Text

A person commits a crime of the third degree if he knowingly: a. Restrains another unlawfully in circumstances exposing the other to risk of serious bodily injury; or b. Holds another in a condition of involuntary servitude. The creation by the actor of circumstances resulting in a belief by another that he must remain in a particular location shall for purposes of this section be deemed to be a holding in a condition of involuntary servitude. In any prosecution under subsection b., it is an affirmative defense that the person held was a child less than 18 years old and the actor was a relative or legal guardian of such child and his sole purpose was to assume control of such child. L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:13-2, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-1 Kidnapping.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-2 Criminal restraint](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-3 False imprisonment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-4 Interference with custody.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-5 Criminal coercion.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-6 Luring, enticing child by various means, attempts; crime of second degree; subsequent offense, mandatory imprisonment; definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-6.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-7 Luring, enticing an adult, certain circumstances, third degree crime; definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-7.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-8 Human trafficking.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-8.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-8.1 Civil action permitted by injured person.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-8.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-9 Second degree crime; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-9.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-10 Findings, declarations relative to human trafficking; definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-10.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-11 Coordination of State's involvement with national, 24-hour toll-free hotline service on human trafficking.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-11.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:13-12 Training courses on handling, response procedures, investigation, prosecution of human trafficking cases.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-12.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C13_S13-2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.