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

N.J. Stat. § 2C:28-2 (2026)

False swearing

✓ current as of May 2026
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a. False swearing. A person who makes a false statement under oath or equivalent affirmation, or swears or affirms the truth of such a statement previously made, when he does not believe the statement to be true, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

b. Perjury provisions applicable. Subsections c. and d. of section 2C:28-1 apply to the present section.

c. Inconsistent statements. Where the defendant made inconsistent statements under oath or equivalent affirmation, both having been made within the period of the statute of limitations, the prosecution may proceed by setting forth the inconsistent statements in a single count alleging in the alternative that one or the other was false and not believed by the defendant. In such case it shall not be necessary for the prosecution to prove which statement was false but only that one or the other was false and not believed by the defendant to be true.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 30 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1982–2025 · leading case: State of New Jersey v. Isaac A. Young, 152 A.3d 955 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017).
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State of New Jersey v. Isaac A. Young, 152 A.3d 955 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). · cites it 5× “N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2(a) provides "A person who makes a false statement under oath or equivalent affirmation, or swears or affirms the truth of such a statement previously made, when he does not believe the statement to be true, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.”
Paff v. Ocean Cnty. Prosecutor's Off., 192 A.3d 975 (N.J. 2018). “2C:12-1(b)(1) ; 2 fourth-degree false swearing, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2(a) ; third-degree tampering with public records or information, N.”
Eugene Ruocchio Robert A. D'Angiolillo v. United Transp. Union, Local 60 Donald J. Bogen (Dan) United Transp. Union, 181 F.3d 376 (3rd Cir. 1999). “§ 1623 (false declarations before grand jury or court); N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:28-1 (perjury); N.J.”
State v. M., 457 A.2d 1237 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1982). · cites it 4× “(Criminal Homicide), except death by auto as specified in section 2C:11-5; section 2C:13-1 (Kidnapping); sections 2C:14-2 (Aggravated Sexual Assault); section 2C:15-1; (Robbery); section 2C:17-1 (Arson and Related Offenses); section 2C:28-1 (Perjury); section 2C:28-2 (Perjury;…”
In re the Expungement Petition of D.H., 6 A.3d 421 (N.J. 2010). · cites it 2× “(Endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child); section 2C:24-4b(4) (Endangering the welfare of a child); section 2C:28-1 (Perjury); section 2C:28-2 (False Swearing) and conspiracies or attempts to commit…”
Hogan v. State, 516 So. 2d 474 (Miss. 1987). “38 § 32-2(b); N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2(c); N.Y. Penal Law § 210.”
State v. Raymond M., 457 A.2d 1237 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1982). · cites it 4× “(Criminal Homicide), except death by auto as specified in section 2C:ll-5; section 2C:13-1 (Kidnapping); sections 2C:14-2 (Aggravated Sexual Assault); section 2C:15-1; (Robbery); section 2C:17-1 (Arson and Related Offenses); section 2C:28-1 (Perjury); section 2C:28-2 (Perjury;…”
State of New Jersey Vs. Joseph S. Macchia (16-12-0814, Union Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021). · cites it 5× “2C:28-2(a), but the indictment actually alleged "the form of false swearing proscribed by N.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Sean Courter (14-01-0314, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). · cites it 4× “2C:21-4(a) (count four); and fourth-degree false swearing, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2 (count five). At sentencing, Judge Michael L.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Orlando Trinidad (14-01-0314, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). · cites it 4× “2C:21-4(a) (count four); fourth-degree false swearing, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2 (count five); and fourth-degree simple assault, N.”
In Re Dh, 6 A.3d 421 (N.J. 2010). · cites it 2× “(Endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child); section 2C:24-4b(4) (Endangering the welfare of a child); section 2C:28-1 (Perjury); section 2C:28-2 (False Swearing) and conspiracies or attempts to commit…”
State of New Jersey Vs. Gabriel C. Barnes (13-01-0178, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). · cites it 2× “2C:39-5(b); second-degree unlicensed possession of a firearm with purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another, N.”
Show all 30 citing cases →
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:28-2(a) — 16 cases
State of New Jersey v. Isaac A. Young, 152 A.3d 955 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). “N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2(a) provides "A person who makes a false statement under oath or equivalent affirmation, or swears or affirms the truth of such a statement previously made, when he does not believe the statement to be true, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.”
Paff v. Ocean Cnty. Prosecutor's Off., 192 A.3d 975 (N.J. 2018). “2C:12-1(b)(1) ; 2 fourth-degree false swearing, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2(a) ; third-degree tampering with public records or information, N.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Sean Courter (14-01-0314, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “2C:21-4(a) (count four); and fourth-degree false swearing, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2 (count five). At sentencing, Judge Michael L.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Orlando Trinidad (14-01-0314, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “2C:21-4(a) (count four); fourth-degree false swearing, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2 (count five); and fourth-degree simple assault, N.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Joseph S. Macchia (16-12-0814, Union Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021). “2C:28-2(a), but the indictment actually alleged "the form of false swearing proscribed by N.”
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:28-2(c) — 2 cases
State of New Jersey v. Isaac A. Young, 152 A.3d 955 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). “N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2(a) provides "A person who makes a false statement under oath or equivalent affirmation, or swears or affirms the truth of such a statement previously made, when he does not believe the statement to be true, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.”
Hogan v. State, 516 So. 2d 474 (Miss. 1987). “38 § 32-2(b); N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2(c); N.Y. Penal Law § 210.”
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:28-2(d) — 1 case
In the Matter of the Appeal of the Denial of R.W.T.'s Application, Etc. (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2023).
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