New Jersey Statutes
N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1 (2026)
Definitions
✓ current as of May 2026
2C:14-1. Definitions. The following definitions apply to this chapter:
a. "Actor" means a person accused of an offense proscribed under this act;
b. "Victim" means a person alleging to have been subjected to offenses proscribed by this act;
c. "Sexual penetration" means vaginal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio or anal intercourse between persons or insertion of the hand, finger or object into the anus or vagina either by the actor or upon the actor's instruction. The depth of insertion shall not be relevant as to the question of commission of the crime;
d. "Sexual contact" means an intentional touching by the victim or actor, either directly or through clothing, of the victim's or actor's intimate parts for the purpose of degrading or humiliating the victim or sexually arousing or sexually gratifying the actor. Sexual contact of the actor with himself must be in view of the victim whom the actor knows to be present;
e. "Intimate parts" means the following body parts: sexual organs, genital area, anal area, inner thigh, groin, buttock or breast of a person;
f. "Severe personal injury" means severe bodily injury, disfigurement, disease, incapacitating mental anguish or chronic pain;
g. "Physically helpless" means that condition in which a person is unconscious or is physically unable to flee or is physically unable to communicate unwillingness to act;
h. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2011, c.232)
i. "Mentally incapacitated" means that condition in which a person is rendered temporarily incapable of understanding or controlling his conduct due to the influence of a narcotic, anesthetic, intoxicant, or other substance administered to that person without his prior knowledge or consent, or due to any other act committed upon that person which rendered that person incapable of appraising or controlling his conduct;
j. "Coercion" as used in this chapter shall refer to those acts which are defined as criminal coercion in section 2C:13-5(1), (2), (3), (4), (6) and (7).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 78
cases (29 in the last 5 years), 1977–2026 · leading case: State in the Interest of D.m., a Juv., 207 A.3d 250 (N.J. 2019).
State in the Interest of D.m., a Juv., 207 A.3d 250 (N.J. 2019). “2C:14-2(a)(1); N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(c).2 To prove that element, the State relied primarily on Z.”
State in the Interest of D.m.(fj-20-209-15, Union Cnty. & Statewide)(record Impounded), 168 A.3d 1185 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). “5 The judge held the evidence 5 According to N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(c): 'Sexual penetration' means vaginal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio or anal intercourse between persons or insertion of the hand, finger or object into the anus or 9 A-0216-15T2 adduced at trial proved that D.”
Restrepo v. Attorney Gen. of US, 617 F.3d 787 (3rd Cir. 2010). “In Pennsylvania, an actor may be guilty of indecent assault, which is defined as a “sexual offense,” if he or she touches any of the "sexual or other intimate parts” of a person under the age of thirteen or, alternatively, under the age of sixteen when the offender is four or…”
State v. Twiggs, 187 A.3d 123 (N.J. 2018). “For example, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1, relating to sexual offenses, defines "actor" as "a person accused of an offense proscribed under this act.”
State ex rel. A.R., 188 A.3d 332 (N.J. 2018). “" N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(d). 12 Because we resolve this case on state-law grounds, we need not tackle the constitutional issue at the heart of the Appellate Division's opinion-whether the admission of John's incompetent testimony denied Alex his Sixth Amendment confrontation right.”
State of New Jersey v. Keith Drake, 132 A.3d 1270 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). “In Mosley, we similarly ruled that NERA did not apply in a case of aggravated sexual assault by penetration of a minor less than thirteen years old, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(a)(1), again contrasting that "use or threat of immediate use of physical force is an element .”
State of New Jersey v. Gary Twiggs, 135 A.3d 981 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). “2C:1-14(e), (g), and (j), and N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(a)). The Court concluded "that the word 'actor' refers to a defendant- perpetrator of an offense and includes both principals and accomplices.”
Nelida Cabeda v. Attorney Gen. United States, 971 F.3d 165 (3rd Cir. 2020). “§ 632 -A:1(IV); N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-1(d); N.Y. Penal Law § 130.”
May v. Ryan, 245 F. Supp. 3d 1145 (D. Ariz. 2017). “§ 45-2-101 (67) (2016) (Montana); N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-1(d) (West 2012) (New Jersey); N.”
State v. Kyle O., 703 N.W.2d 909 (Neb. Ct. App. 2005). “§ 45-2-101 (67)(a) (2005); N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-1(d) (West 1995); Wis.”
Luis Grijalva Martinez v. Attorney Gen. United States, 978 F.3d 860 (3rd Cir. 2020). “” N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-1(d). Section 3509(a) “defines ‘sexually explicit conduct’ to include ‘sexual contact[,]’ which refers to ‘the intentional touching, either directly or through clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person with…”
State of New Jersey Vs. Joshua Nicholson (13-12-0773, Somerset Cnty. & Statewide), 169 A.3d 990 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). “" N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(e). However, the statute does not define "exposed" and neither this court nor our Supreme Court has interpreted its meaning as used in N.”
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(a) — 3 cases
State of New Jersey v. Gary Twiggs, 135 A.3d 981 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). “2C:1-14(e), (g), and (j), and N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(a)). The Court concluded "that the word 'actor' refers to a defendant- perpetrator of an offense and includes both principals and accomplices.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Timothy C. Aman (13-11-1049 & 14-07-0548, Cape May Cnty. & Statewide)(record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017).
State of New Jersey v. Edward Raskin (18-07-0433, Union Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2022).
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(a)(1) — 2 cases
State of New Jersey v. Keith Drake, 132 A.3d 1270 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). “In Mosley, we similarly ruled that NERA did not apply in a case of aggravated sexual assault by penetration of a minor less than thirteen years old, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(a)(1), again contrasting that "use or threat of immediate use of physical force is an element .”
State in Interest of MTS, 609 A.2d 1266 (N.J. 1992).
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(b)(14) — 2 cases
State of New Jersey v. Demitri Neives (18-10-1430, Middlesex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2022).
State of New Jersey v. Zakry S. Shivers (18-03-0474, Ocean Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2022).
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(c) — 20 cases
State in the Interest of D.m., a Juv., 207 A.3d 250 (N.J. 2019). “2C:14-2(a)(1); N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(c).2 To prove that element, the State relied primarily on Z.”
State in the Interest of D.m.(fj-20-209-15, Union Cnty. & Statewide)(record Impounded), 168 A.3d 1185 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). “5 The judge held the evidence 5 According to N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(c): 'Sexual penetration' means vaginal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio or anal intercourse between persons or insertion of the hand, finger or object into the anus or 9 A-0216-15T2 adduced at trial proved that D.”
State v. Bryant, 670 A.2d 776 (R.I. 1996).
Keeley, 27 I. & N. Dec. 146 (2017).
State of New Jersey Vs. Arthur F. Wildgoose (16-03-0148, Somerset Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(d) — 26 cases
State ex rel. A.R., 188 A.3d 332 (N.J. 2018). “" N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(d). 12 Because we resolve this case on state-law grounds, we need not tackle the constitutional issue at the heart of the Appellate Division's opinion-whether the admission of John's incompetent testimony denied Alex his Sixth Amendment confrontation right.”
State in the Interest of D.m., a Juv., 207 A.3d 250 (N.J. 2019). “2C:14-2(a)(1); N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(c).2 To prove that element, the State relied primarily on Z.”
Nelida Cabeda v. Attorney Gen. United States, 971 F.3d 165 (3rd Cir. 2020). “§ 632 -A:1(IV); N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-1(d); N.Y. Penal Law § 130.”
Restrepo v. Attorney Gen. of US, 617 F.3d 787 (3rd Cir. 2010). “In Pennsylvania, an actor may be guilty of indecent assault, which is defined as a “sexual offense,” if he or she touches any of the "sexual or other intimate parts” of a person under the age of thirteen or, alternatively, under the age of sixteen when the offender is four or…”
May v. Ryan, 245 F. Supp. 3d 1145 (D. Ariz. 2017). “§ 45-2-101 (67) (2016) (Montana); N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-1(d) (West 2012) (New Jersey); N.”
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(e) — 6 cases
State of New Jersey Vs. Joshua Nicholson (13-12-0773, Somerset Cnty. & Statewide), 169 A.3d 990 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). “" N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(e). However, the statute does not define "exposed" and neither this court nor our Supreme Court has interpreted its meaning as used in N.”
State of New Jersey v. Isaac M. Toney (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2026).
C.A.B. v. L.M. (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2026).
J.L.L. Vs. C.M.H. (fv-14-0740-18, Morris Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019).
State of New Jersey Vs. Pramod Bhagat (08-10-1614, Bergen Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019).
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(f) — 1 case
United States v. Victor Monterola-Mata, 629 F. App'x 583 (5th Cir. 2015).
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(g) — 6 cases
People v. Hosei, 2023 Guam 22 (Guam 2023).
State of New Jersey Vs. Charles E. Lucas (15-07-0808, Middlesex Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
State of New Jersey Vs. Luis M. Caraballo (05-07-1360, Bergen Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021).
State of New Jersey Vs. Aquil Malik (15-04-0289, Morris Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
State of New Jersey Vs. David C. Thomas (15-08-0590, Gloucester Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019).
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(h) — 2 cases
Keeley, 27 I. & N. Dec. 146 (2017).
State of New Jersey Vs. M.C. State of New Jersey Vs. E.W. (11-08-0888, Union Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded)(Consol.) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(i) — 3 cases
C.R. Vs. M.T. (fv-08-0021-19, Gloucester Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019).
Keeley, 27 I. & N. Dec. 146 (2017).
State of New Jersey Vs. Aquil Malik (15-04-0289, Morris Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-1(j) — 4 cases
State in the Interest of D.m.(fj-20-209-15, Union Cnty. & Statewide)(record Impounded), 168 A.3d 1185 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). “5 The judge held the evidence 5 According to N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1(c): 'Sexual penetration' means vaginal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio or anal intercourse between persons or insertion of the hand, finger or object into the anus or 9 A-0216-15T2 adduced at trial proved that D.”
State of New Jersey v. Joseph Centanni (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
J.L.L. Vs. C.M.H. (fv-14-0740-18, Morris Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019).
United States v. Victor Monterola-Mata, 629 F. App'x 583 (5th Cir. 2015).
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