Domestic Violence-County Resources in New Jersey

What Constitutes Domestic Violence?

In New Jersey, domestic violence is not defined by a single act, but by a specific relationship dynamic coupled with a criminal act. To qualify under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, the victim must be a “protected person,” which includes any person who is 18 years or older, or an emancipated minor, and who has been subjected to domestic violence by a spouse, former spouse, or any other person who is a present or former household member.

By 2026, the law has further expanded to explicitly cover digital harassment and coercive control. The “Predicated Acts” of domestic violence in New Jersey include:

• Homicide, Assault, and Terroristic Threats: Physical violence or the credible threat of death or serious bodily harm.
• Kidnapping and False Imprisonment: The unlawful restraint of a partner’s movement.
• Sexual Assault and Criminal Sexual Contact: Non-consensual sexual acts within a relationship.
• Harassment and Cyber-Harassment: Repeated alarming conduct or communications designed to cause emotional distress.
• Stalking: Repeated following or monitoring, including GPS and digital tracking.
• Burglary and Criminal Trespass: Unlawful entry into a victim’s residence or property.
• Coercive Control: A pattern of behavior—which may not include physical violence—that isolates, intimidates, or exploits a victim to strip away their autonomy.

NJSA 2C:25-17: The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act

The primary governing law in New Jersey is the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 (NJSA 2C:25-17 et seq.). This Act mandates that the primary focus of the court and law enforcement must be the safety of the victim. It provides for two distinct but related legal paths: Criminal Prosecution and Civil Restraining Orders.

The Restraining Order Process

In 2026, the process for obtaining a Restraining Order (RO) is streamlined via both in-person and virtual “Safe Rooms.

• Temporary Restraining Order (TRO): An emergency order granted by a Municipal Court Judge (after hours) or a Superior Court Judge (during business hours) based on the victim’s testimony alone.
• Final Restraining Order (FRO): A permanent order granted after a formal hearing in Superior Court (usually within 10 days of the TRO). If an FRO is granted, it never expires in New Jersey unless a judge explicitly vacates it.

Punishments and Consequences

Offenders face severe consequences that impact nearly every facet of their lives:

• Mandatory Arrest: In many cases, if a police officer sees signs of injury, an arrest is mandatory under NJ law.
• Firearm Forfeiture: Anyone served with a TRO or FRO must immediately surrender all firearms and their Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC).
• The DV Registry: A defendant found guilty of a predicate act or an FRO is entered into the Statewide Domestic Violence Registry, accessible to law enforcement.
• Criminal Penalties: Depending on the charge (e.g., Aggravated Assault), an offender may face years in New Jersey State Prison.
• Contempt Charges: Violating a restraining order is a criminal act (NJSA 2C:29-9), and a second violation carries a mandatory 30-day jail sentence.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For emergency Temporary Restraining Orders after 4:00 PM, contact your local municipal police department. During standard business hours (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM), contact the Superior Court Domestic Violence/Restraining Order unit in your county using the directory below.