Threats and other improper influence in official and political matters

2C:27-3.  Threats and other improper influence in official and political matters

      a.  Offenses defined.    A person commits an offense if he directly or indirectly:

    (1) Threatens unlawful harm to any person with purpose to influence a decision, opinion, recommendation, vote or exercise of discretion of a public servant, party official or voter on any public issue or in any public election;   or

    (2) Threatens harm to any public servant with purpose to influence a decision, opinion, recommendation, vote or exercise of discretion in a judicial  or administrative proceeding;  or

    (3) Threatens harm to any public servant or party official with purpose to influence him to violate his official duty.

    It is no defense to prosecution under this section that a person whom the actor sought to influence was not qualified to act in the desired way, whether because he had not yet assumed office or lacked jurisdiction, or for any other reason.

      b.  Grading.    An offense under this section is a crime of the third degree.

     L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:27-3, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.  Amended by L.1979, c. 178, s. 49, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.

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