N.J. Stat. » Title 2C — THE NEW JERSEY CODE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
New Jersey Statutes

N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-4 (2026)

Lewdness

✓ current as of May 2026
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2C:14-4. Lewdness.

a. A person commits a disorderly persons offense if he does any flagrantly lewd and offensive act which he knows or reasonably expects is likely to be observed by other nonconsenting persons who would be affronted or alarmed.

b. A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if:

(1) He exposes his intimate parts for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person under circumstances where the actor knows or reasonably expects he is likely to be observed by a child who is less than 13 years of age where the actor is at least four years older than the child.

(2) He exposes his intimate parts for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person under circumstances where the actor knows or reasonably expects he is likely to be observed by a person who because of mental disease or defect is unable to understand the sexual nature of the actor's conduct.

c. As used in this section:

"lewd acts" shall include the exposing of the genitals for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 38 cases (20 in the last 5 years), 1979–2026 · leading case: State v. Zeidell, 713 A.2d 401 (N.J. 1998).
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State v. Zeidell, 713 A.2d 401 (N.J. 1998). · cites it 5× “1 Final Report of the New Jersey Criminal Law Revision Commission § 2C:14-4, at 62 (1971) ( Final Report ).”
State v. S.N., 176 A.3d 813 (N.J. 2018). “Two months after defendant’s arrest on the complaint-warrant, he was indicted for first-degree aggravated sexual assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)(l); second-degree sexual assault, N.”
State v. Carroll, 196 A.3d 106 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “By contrast, the Code separately defines the offense of lewdness, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4, and obscene material, N.”
Kamen v. Egan, 730 A.2d 873 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1999). “2C:14-3 (9) Lewdness N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4 (10) Criminal mischief N.”
In the Matter of the Est. of Michael D. Fisher, II, 128 A.3d 203 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2015). “Fisher had previously been arrested in April 1996 for lewdness, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4, and, in November 1999, for another incident of peering into the window of a dwelling, N.”
State v. Ludwig, 468 So. 2d 1151 (La. 1985). · cites it 2× “§§ 28-806, 28-106; N.J.Stat.Ann. §§ 2C:14-4, 2C:43-8; N.M.Stat.”
Amaya v. New Jersey, 766 F. Supp. 2d 533 (D.N.J. 2011). “2C:13-1 (kidnapping); N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4 (lewdness); N.J.S.A. 2C:14-9 (covert observation of sexual contact); N.”
Belmar v. Buckley, 453 A.2d 910 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1982). “[2] The Commentary to proposed § 2C:14-4 makes clear that its purpose was not to address lewdness or indecent behavior broadly but rather to classify the proscribed conduct as a form of sexual aggression.”
State v. Cavanaugh, 415 A.2d 390 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1979). · cites it 2× “[at 433] He continued: Section 2C:14-4 of the proposed New Jersey Penal Code is entitled `Sexual Assault' and would seem exactly designed to cover the kind of censurable conduct of which the jury found this defendant to have been guilty.”
Robert Cauvin v. Bd. of Educ. of the Twp. of North Brunswick (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2026). · cites it 5× “1 because he was convicted of lewdness, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4. Having reviewed the record, parties' arguments, and applicable law, we affirm.”
State of New Jersey v. N.K. (13-02-0159, Union Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2022). · cites it 3× “2C:24-4(a), and fourth-degree lewdness, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4(b)(1). The charges were founded on a claim defendant exposed and touched his penis in the presence of a twelve-year-old boy, R.”
Michael P. Ryan v. Hammonton Town Bd. of Educ. (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025). · cites it 3× “The dispute between the parties began when Eastampton Township Patrol Officer Michael Musser swore a municipal complaint alleging plaintiff, a tenured guidance counselor employed by defendant, committed an act of lewdness on September 11, 2015, in violation of N.J.S.A.…”
Show all 38 citing cases →
N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-4(a): 7 cases
Michael P. Ryan v. Hammonton Town Bd. of Educ. (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025). “The dispute between the parties began when Eastampton Township Patrol Officer Michael Musser swore a municipal complaint alleging plaintiff, a tenured guidance counselor employed by defendant, committed an act of lewdness on September 11, 2015, in violation of N.J.S.A.…”
Robert Cauvin v. Bd. of Educ. of the Twp. of North Brunswick (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2026). “1 because he was convicted of lewdness, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4. Having reviewed the record, parties' arguments, and applicable law, we affirm.”
State of New Jersey Vs. William a. Gerena (18-10-0853, Hudson Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021).
State of New Jersey v. Steven M. Caston (99-12-0692, Burlington Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2022).
State of New Jersey v. Steven M. Caston (15-07-2007 & 15-07-2008, Camden Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2022).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-4(a)(1): 1 case
State of New Jersey v. Joseph W. McCain (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2024).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-4(b): 1 case
State of New Jersey Vs. Siddharth Gaur (10-06-0629, Passaic Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (Consol.) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2020).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-4(b)(1): 18 cases
State v. S.N., 176 A.3d 813 (N.J. 2018). “Two months after defendant’s arrest on the complaint-warrant, he was indicted for first-degree aggravated sexual assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)(l); second-degree sexual assault, N.”
State of New Jersey v. N.K. (13-02-0159, Union Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2022). “2C:24-4(a), and fourth-degree lewdness, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4(b)(1). The charges were founded on a claim defendant exposed and touched his penis in the presence of a twelve-year-old boy, R.”
State v. S.N., 176 A.3d 813 (N.J. 2018).
State of New Jersey v. Isaac M. Toney (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2026).
State of New Jersey Vs. Eric Epps (14-02-0397, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-4(b)(l): 1 case
State of New Jersey v. J.C. (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2026).
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