Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 17:36-21

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • person: includes corporations, companies, associations, societies, firms, partnerships and joint stock companies as well as individuals, unless restricted by the context to an individual as distinguished from a corporate entity or specifically restricted to one or some of the above enumerated synonyms and, when used to designate the owner of property which may be the subject of an offense, includes this State, the United States, any other State of the United States as defined infra and any foreign country or government lawfully owning or possessing property within this State. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • State: extends to and includes any State, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia and the Canal Zone. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
A person who knowingly:

a. Refuses to release information,

b. Fails to notify the county prosecutor of a fire loss of which there is reason to believe that it was caused by other than accidental means, or

c. Fails to hold information in confidence, as required by this act,

is liable to a penalty of not more than $250.00, which may be collected or enforced in a summary manner under “the penalty enforcement law” (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.). The proceedings may be brought by authorized agency which has not received information or has not been notified regarding a fire loss, or an insurer or person which has been injured by a failure to keep information confidential, or the State. If a money judgment is rendered against the defendant, it shall be paid to the plaintiff. A reasonable and good faith effort to comply with the provisions of this act shall be a defense to an alleged violation of this act.

L.1981, c. 45, s. 8, eff. Feb. 19, 1981.