NJSA 2C:33-12 Maintaining a Nuisance

A person is guilty of maintaining a nuisance when:

a. By conduct either unlawful in itself or unreasonable under all the circumstances, he knowingly or recklessly creates or maintains a condition which endangers the safety or health of a considerable number of persons;

b. He knowingly conducts or maintains any premises, place or resort where persons gather for purposes of engaging in unlawful conduct; or

c. He knowingly conducts or maintains any premises, place or resort as a house of prostitution or as a place where obscene material, as defined in N.J.S. 2C:34-2 and N.J.S. 2C:34-3, is sold, photographed, manufactured, exhibited or otherwise prepared or shown, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:34-2, N.J.S. 2C:34-3, and N.J.S. 2C:34-4.

A person is guilty of a disorderly persons offense if the person is convicted under subsection a. or b. of this section. A person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree if the person is convicted under subsection c. of this section.

Upon conviction under this section, in addition to the sentence authorized by this code, the court may proceed as set forth in section 2C:33-12.1.

L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:33-12, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by L.1979, c. 178, s. 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1979; L.1982, c. 233, s. 1, eff. Jan. 7, 1983; L.1983, c. 234, s. 1, eff. June 30, 1983.

2C:33-12.1. Abating nuisance
2C:33-12.1. Abating Nuisance. a. In addition to the penalty imposed in case of conviction under N.J.S.2C:33-12 or under section 2 of P.L.1995, c.167 (C.2C:33-12.2), the court may order the immediate abatement of the nuisance, and for that purpose may order the seizure and forfeiture or destruction of any chattels, liquors, obscene material or other personal property which may be found in such building or place, and which the court is satisfied from the evidence were possessed or used with a purpose of maintaining the nuisance. Any such forfeiture shall be in the name and to the use of the State of New Jersey, and the court shall direct the forfeited property to be sold at public sale, the proceeds to be paid to the treasurer of the county wherein conviction was had.

b. If the owner of any building or place is found guilty of maintaining a nuisance, the court may order that the building or place where the nuisance was maintained be closed and not used for a period not exceeding one year from the date of the conviction.

L.1979, c.178, s.66; amended 1982,c.233,s.2; 1983,c.234,s.2; 1995,c.167,s.1.