Hidden camera laws in New Jersey

The actual statute, in plain English — not a paraphrase of a paraphrase.

The statute

N.J.S.A. § 2C:14-9 (Invasion of Privacy)

What it prohibits

Observing another person, without consent, under circumstances where a reasonable person would know they might expose intimate parts or engage in sexual activity and would not expect to be observed; or photographing, filming, or otherwise reproducing that image without consent. Disclosing or distributing such images is a separate offense.

Penalty

New Jersey uses “degrees” rather than misdemeanor/felony labels: observing is a crime of the fourth degree; photographing/recording is a crime of the third degree. Fines up to $30,000 possible for certain disclosure violations.

This is general public information, not legal advice, verified against the statute text linked below as of this writing — legislatures amend these laws periodically (Florida renamed its own statute in 2024). If this matters for a real situation, read the current text yourself or talk to a lawyer: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-2c/section-2c-14-9/. Separately, recording audio of a conversation is governed by a different law (wiretap/eavesdropping statutes, which vary by state on whether one party or all parties must consent) — this page covers image/video capture only.

If you've actually found something, the statute matters less than what you do next: read the six steps here.

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Other states

VirginiaCode of Virginia § 18.2-386.1 (Unlawful Filming, Videotaping or Photographing of Another) WashingtonRCW § 9A.44.115 (Voyeurism) ArizonaA.R.S. § 13-1424 (Voyeurism) MassachusettsM.G.L. c. 272, § 105 (Photographing, Videotaping or Electronically Surveilling Partially Nude or Nude Person) TennesseeTenn. Code § 39-13-605 (Unlawful Photographing in Violation of Privacy) ColoradoC.R.S. § 18-3-405.6 (Invasion of Privacy for Sexual Gratification) NevadaNRS § 200.604 (Capturing Image of Private Area of Another Person) HawaiiHRS § 711-1110.9 (Violation of Privacy in the First Degree)