# N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-25: Computer criminal activity; degree of crime; sentencing > New Jersey · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-25 ## Section - **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-25 - **Heading:** Computer criminal activity; degree of crime; sentencing - **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** NJ Code / Title 2C / Chapter 20 / Section 20-25 ## Text 4. A person is guilty of computer criminal activity if the person purposely or knowingly and without authorization, or in excess of authorization: a. Accesses any data, data base, computer storage medium, computer program, computer software, computer equipment, computer, computer system or computer network; b. Alters, damages or destroys any data, data base, computer, computer storage medium, computer program, computer software, computer system or computer network, or denies, disrupts or impairs computer services, including access to any part of the Internet, that are available to any other user of the computer services; c. Accesses or attempts to access any data, data base, computer, computer storage medium, computer program, computer software, computer equipment, computer system or computer network for the purpose of executing a scheme to defraud, or to obtain services, property, personal identifying information, or money, from the owner of a computer or any third party; d. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2003, c.39). e. Obtains, takes, copies or uses any data, data base, computer program, computer software, personal identifying information, or other information stored in a computer, computer network, computer system, computer equipment or computer storage medium; or f. Accesses and recklessly alters, damages or destroys any data, data base, computer, computer storage medium, computer program, computer software, computer equipment, computer system or computer network. g. A violation of subsection a. of this section is a crime of the third degree. A violation of subsection b. is a crime of the second degree. A violation of subsection c. is a crime of the third degree, except that it is a crime of the second degree if the value of the services, property, personal identifying information, or money obtained or sought to be obtained exceeds $5,000. A violation of subsection e. is a crime of the third degree, except that it is a crime of the second degree if the data, data base, computer program, computer software, or information: (1) is or contains personal identifying information, medical diagnoses, treatments or other medical information concerning an identifiable person; (2) is or contains governmental records or other information that is protected from disclosure by law, court order or rule of court; or (3) has a value exceeding $5,000. A violation of subsection f. is a crime of the fourth degree, except that it is a crime of the third degree if the value of the damage exceeds $5,000. A violation of any subsection of this section is a crime of the first degree if the offense results in: (1) a substantial interruption or impairment of public communication, transportation, supply of water, gas or power, or other public service. The term "substantial interruption or impairment" shall mean such interruption or impairment that: (a) affects 10 or more structures or habitations; (b) lasts for two or more hours; or (c) creates a risk of death or significant bodily injury to any person; (2) damages or loss in excess of $250,000; or (3) significant bodily injury to any person. Every sentence of imprisonment for a crime of the first degree committed in violation of this section shall include a minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, during which term the defendant shall not be eligible for parole. h. Every sentence imposed upon a conviction pursuant to this section shall, if the victim is a government agency, include a period of imprisonment. The period of imprisonment shall include a minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, during which term the defendant shall not be eligible for parole ntence imposed, during which term the defendant shall not be eligible for parole. h. Every sentence imposed upon a conviction pursuant to this section shall, if the victim is a government agency, include a period of imprisonment. The period of imprisonment shall include a minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, during which term the defendant shall not be eligible for parole. The victim shall be deemed to be a government agency if a computer, computer network, computer storage medium, computer system, computer equipment, computer program, computer software, computer data or data base that is a subject of the crime is owned, operated or maintained by or on behalf of a governmental agency or unit of State or local government or a public authority. The defendant shall be strictly liable under this subsection and it shall not be a defense that the defendant did not know or intend that the victim was a government agency, or that the defendant intended that there be other victims of the crime. A violation of any subsection of this section shall be a distinct offense from a violation of any other subsection of this section, and a conviction for a violation of any subsection of this section shall not merge with a conviction for a violation of any other subsection of this section or section 10 of P.L.1984, c.184 (C.2C:20-31), or for conspiring or attempting to violate any subsection of this section or section 10 of P.L.1984, c.184 (C.2C:20-31), and a separate sentence shall be imposed for each such conviction. When a violation of any subsection of this section involves an offense committed against a person under 18 years of age, the violation shall constitute an aggravating circumstance to be considered by the court when determining the appropriate sentence to be imposed. L.1984,c.184,s.4; amended 2003, c.39, s.3. ## Nearby sections - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-1 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-1.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-1.1 Offense involving access device; presumption of unlawful purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-1.1.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-2 Consolidation of theft and computer criminal activity offenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-2.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-2.1 Additional penalties for theft or unlawful taking of motor vehicle.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-2.1.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-2.2 Additional fine for auto theft](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-2.2.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-2.3 Theft from grave sites, certain; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-2.3.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-2.4 Leader of cargo theft network.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-2.4.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-2.5 Additional disposition for certain offenses; degree of crime, penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-2.5.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-2.6 Crimes involving theft from cargo carrier; degree of crime, penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-2.6.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-3 Theft by unlawful taking or disposition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-3.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-4 Theft by deception](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-4.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-5 Theft by extortion](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-5.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-6 Theft of property lost, mislaid, or delivered by mistake.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-6.md) - [N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-7 Receiving stolen property.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-7.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C20_S20-25. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.