New Jersey Section 2C:40-24 –
New Jersey Section 2C:40-24 –
New Jersey Statute 2C:40-24 is part of the state’s criminal code dealing with threats and improper influence. Specifically, this law makes it a crime to threaten unlawful harm to any person or property with the purpose of influencing a decision, opinion, recommendation, vote or exercise of discretion of a public servant, party official or voter.In simple terms, you can’t threaten someone in order to get a politician, government employee or voter to do what you want. That’s considered a criminal act under this law.Some key points about 2C:40-24:
- It applies to any kind of threat, whether against a person or property. So threats of violence, threats to damage property, etc. are all prohibited if done with the intent to influence someone’s actions or decisions.
- The threat doesn’t actually have to be carried out. Just making the threat is enough to break the law.
- The threat can be direct or indirect. For example, threatening a public official’s family would still be illegal.
- The purpose has to be influencing an official decision or action. Threats made for other reasons would not necessarily violate this specific law.
- Charges under 2C:40-24 can result in fines and jail time, including potential felony charges depending on the circumstances.
So in everyday language, this law basically says you can’t intimidate or coerce someone into doing something by threatening unlawful harm. The goal is to allow public servants, officials and voters to make decisions freely without fear of reprisal.