New Jersey Statutes Title 2C. The New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice 2C § 1-2

(1) To forbid, prevent, and condemn conduct that unjustifiably and inexcusably inflicts or threatens serious harm to individual or public interests;

(2) To insure the public safety by preventing the commission of offenses through the deterrent influence of the sentences authorized, the rehabilitation of those convicted, and their confinement when required in the interests of public protection;

(3) To subject to public control persons whose conduct indicates that they are disposed to commit offenses;

(4) To give fair warning of the nature of the conduct proscribed and of the sentences authorized upon conviction;

(5) To differentiate on reasonable grounds between serious and minor offenses;  and

(6) To define adequately the act and mental state which constitute each offense, and limit the condemnation of conduct as criminal when it is without fault.

(1) To prevent and condemn the commission of offenses;

(2) To promote the correction and rehabilitation of offenders;

(3) To insure the public safety by preventing the commission of offenses through the deterrent influence of sentences imposed and the confinement of offenders when required in the interest of public protection;

(4) To safeguard offenders against excessive, disproportionate or arbitrary punishment;

(5) To give fair warning of the nature of the sentences that may be imposed on conviction of an offense;

(6) To differentiate among offenders with a view to a just individualization in their treatment;  

(7) To advance the use of generally accepted scientific methods and knowledge in sentencing offenders;  and

(8) To promote restitution to victims.