{"data":{"id":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-2c-43-1","jurisdiction":"us-nj","citation":"N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-1","heading":"Degrees of crimes","body":"Degrees of Crimes.  a.  Crimes defined by this code are classified, for the purpose of sentence, into four degrees, as follows:\n(1)  Crimes of the first degree;\n(2)  Crimes of the second degree;\n(3)  Crimes of the third degree; and\n(4)  Crimes of the fourth degree.\nA 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.\nb.   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.\nL.1978, c.95; amended by L. 1979, c. 178, s. 81; 1987, c. 106, s. 8.","path":["TITLE 2C THE NEW JERSEY CODE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE"],"source_url":"https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/STATUTES-TEXT.zip","current_through":"P.L.2025, c.405, and J.R.22","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T17:54:13Z","sha256":"173869707bdfd3b73691c7bf5d0550f259bb73aad48a72895361403585339f41","source_id":"us-nj","stale":true,"prev":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-2c-41-6.2","next":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-2c-43-2"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}