STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2022 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman EDWARD H. THOMSON
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Provides that person who impersonates law enforcement officer and commits crime is guilty of third degree crime.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning impersonating a law enforcement officer and amending N.J.S.2C:28-8.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.2C:28-8 is amended to read as follows:
2C:28-8. Impersonating a public servant or law enforcement officer.
a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if he falsely pretends to hold a position in the public service with purpose to induce another to submit to such pretended official authority or otherwise to act in reliance upon that pretense.
b. A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he falsely pretends to hold a position as an officer or member or employee or agent of any organization or association of law enforcement officers with purpose to induce another to submit to such pretended official authority or otherwise to act in reliance upon that pretense.
c. A person commits a crime of the third degree if, while violating subsection b. of this section, he commits a crime of the fourth degree or higher. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to preclude or limit a prosecution under subsection b. of this section.
(cf: P.L.2000, c.110, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under current law, a person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he impersonates a law enforcement officer or an employee of a law enforcement agency with the intent to induce another to submit to or rely upon that pretense. Under the provisions of this bill, a person who impersonates a law enforcement officer or employee of a law enforcement agency and who, during the course of that impersonation, commits a crime of the fourth degree or higher is guilty of a crime of the third degree. A crime of third degree is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000, three to five years imprisonment, or both.