# N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-6.3: Affirmative defense to criminal action, construction of act

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-6.3

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-6.3
- **Heading:** Affirmative defense to criminal action, construction of act
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 2C / Chapter 36 / Section 36-6.3

## Text

2. It is an affirmative defense to any criminal action arising under chapter 36 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes for possession of a hypodermic syringe or needle that the item was obtained pursuant to the authority of section 1 of P.L.2011, c.183 (C.2C:36-6.2). The affirmative defense established herein shall be proved by the defendant by a preponderance of the evidence. It shall not be necessary for the State to negate any such fact in any criminal complaint, information, indictment, or other pleading or in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding. Nothing in this act shall be construed to limit or constrain in any way a prosecution for the possession, manufacture, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance or for any other conduct proscribed by chapter 35 or chapter 36 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. L.2011, c.183, s.2.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-1 Drug paraphernalia, defined; determination.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-2 Use or possession with intent to use.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-3 Distribute, dispense or possess with intent to distribute or manufacture, crime of fourth degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-4 Advertising to promote sale, crime of fourth degree](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-5 Delivering drug paraphernalia to person under 18 years of age, crime of third degree](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-6.1 Discarding hypodermic needle or syringe.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-6.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-6.2 Sale by licensed pharmacy of hypodermic syringe or needle under certain circumstances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-6.2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-6.3 Affirmative defense to criminal action, construction of act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-6.3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-6a Possession of hypodermic syringe, needle under certain circumstances not an offense.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-6a.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-7 Seizure in violation of Chapter](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-7.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-8 Severability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-8.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-9 Pending Cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-9.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:36-10 Definition of "defraud the administration of a drug test;" crime, grading](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-10.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C36_S36-6.3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.