# N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-1: Degrees of crimes

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-1

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-1
- **Heading:** Degrees of crimes
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 2C / Chapter 43 / Section 43-1

## Text

2C:43-1. Degrees of Crimes. a. Crimes defined by this code are classified, for the purpose of sentence, into four degrees, as follows: (1) Crimes of the first degree; (2) Crimes of the second degree; (3) Crimes of the third degree; and (4) Crimes of the fourth degree. A crime is of the first, second, third or fourth degree when it is so designated by the code. An offense, declared to be a crime, without specification of degree, is of the fourth degree. b. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a crime defined by any statute of this State other than this code and designated as a high misdemeanor shall constitute for the purpose of sentence a crime of the third degree. Except as provided in sections 2C:1-4c. and 2C:1-5b. and notwithstanding any other provision of law, a crime defined by any statute of this State other than this code and designated as a misdemeanor shall constitute for the purpose of sentence a crime of the fourth degree. L.1978, c.95; amended by L. 1979, c. 178, s. 81; 1987, c. 106, s. 8.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-1 Degrees of crimes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-2 Sentence in accordance with code; authorized dispositions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-2.1 Motor vehicle theft or unlawful taking; restitution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-2.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-2.2 Issuance of court order requiring serological tests.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-2.2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-2.3 Orders for certain serological testing required under certain circumstances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-2.3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-2.4 Authority to impound motor vehicles.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-2.4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-3 Fines and restitutions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-3.1 Victim, witness, criminal disposition, and collection funds.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-3.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-3.2 Assessments for Safe Neighborhoods Services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-3.2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-3.3 Additional penalties for persons convicted of crime deposited in "Law Enforcement Officers Training and Equipment Fund"](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-3.3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-3.4 Restitution for extradition costs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-3.4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-3.5 Additional penalty for certain offenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-3.5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-3.6 Additional penalty for sex offense for deposit in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program Fund.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-3.6.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-3.7 Surcharge for certain sexual offenders to fund grants, programs, certain.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-3.7.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C43_S43-1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.