New Jersey Statutes

N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-31 (2026)

Wrongful access, disclosure of information; degree of crime; sentencing

✓ current as of May 2026

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10. a. A person is guilty of a crime of the third degree if the person purposely or knowingly and without authorization, or in excess of authorization, accesses any data, data base, computer, computer storage medium, computer software, computer equipment, computer system and knowingly or recklessly discloses or causes to be disclosed any data, data base, computer software, computer programs or personal identifying information.

b. A person is guilty of a crime of the second degree if the person purposely or knowingly and without authorization, or in excess of authorization, accesses any data, data base, computer, computer storage medium, computer software, computer equipment, computer system or computer network and purposely or knowingly discloses or causes to be disclosed any data, data base, computer software, computer program or other information that is protected from disclosure by any law, court order or rule of court. Every sentence imposed upon a conviction pursuant to this subsection shall include a period of imprisonment. The period of imprisonment shall include a minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, during which term the defendant shall not be eligible for parole.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2014–2026 · leading case: United States v. Andrew Auernheimer, 748 F.3d 525 (3rd Cir. 2014).

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United States v. Andrew Auernheimer, 748 F.3d 525 (3rd Cir. 2014). · cites it 2× “To enhance the potential punishment from a misdemeanor to a felony, the Government alleged that Auernheimer’s CFAA violation occurred in furtherance of a violation of New Jersey’s computer crime statute, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:20-31(a). See 18 U.S.”

State of New Jersey Vs. Hakim R. Nelson (15-11-1363, Middlesex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2020). “2C:20-25(e) (count thirteen); and second-degree access and disclosure, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-31(b) (count fourteen). A-0684-18T1 2 five years on count six.”

State of New Jersey v. Michael A. Dotro (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2026). “2C:20-25(a); one count of third-degree disclosure of data from wrongful access, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-31; three counts of second-degree official misconduct, N.”

— N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-31(a) — 1 case

United States v. Andrew Auernheimer, 748 F.3d 525 (3rd Cir. 2014). “To enhance the potential punishment from a misdemeanor to a felony, the Government alleged that Auernheimer’s CFAA violation occurred in furtherance of a violation of New Jersey’s computer crime statute, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:20-31(a). See 18 U.S.”

— N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-31(b) — 1 case

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