New Jersey § 10:6-2

§ 10:6-2.

a. If a person, whether or not acting under color of law, subjects or causes to be

subjected any other person to the deprivation of any substantive due process or equal

protection rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of

the United States, or any substantive rights, privileges or immunities secured by

the Constitution or laws of this State, the Attorney General may bring a civil action

for damages and for injunctive or other appropriate relief. The civil action shall be brought in the name of the State and may be brought on

behalf of the injured party. If the Attorney General proceeds with and prevails in an action brought pursuant

to this subsection, the court shall order the distribution of any award of damages

to the injured party and shall award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the Attorney

General. The penalty provided in subsection e. of this section shall be applicable to a violation

of this subsection. b. If a person, whether or not acting under color of law, interferes or attempts to

interfere by threats, intimidation or coercion with the exercise or enjoyment by any

other person of any substantive due process or equal protection rights, privileges

or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or any substantive

rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of this State,

the Attorney General may bring a civil action for damages and for injunctive or other

appropriate relief. The civil action shall be brought in the name of the State and may be brought on

behalf of the injured party. If the Attorney General proceeds with and prevails in an action brought pursuant

to this subsection, the court shall order the distribution of any award of damages

to the injured party and shall award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the Attorney

General. The penalty provided in subsection e. of this section shall be applicable to a violation

of this subsection. c. Any person who has been deprived of any substantive due process or equal protection

rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the United

States, or any substantive rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution

or laws of this State, or whose exercise or enjoyment of those substantive rights,

privileges or immunities has been interfered with or attempted to be interfered with,

by threats, intimidation or coercion by a person acting under color of law, may bring

a civil action for damages and for injunctive or other appropriate relief. The penalty provided in subsection e. of this section shall be applicable to a violation

of this subsection. d. An action brought pursuant to this act may be filed in Superior Court. Upon application of any party, a jury trial shall be directed. e. Any person who deprives, interferes or attempts to interfere by threats, intimidation

or coercion with the exercise or enjoyment by any other person of any substantive

due process or equal protection rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution

or laws of the United States, or any substantive rights, privileges or immunities

secured by the Constitution or laws of this State is liable for a civil penalty for

each violation. The court or jury, as the case may be, shall determine the appropriate amount of

the penalty. Any money collected by the court in payment of a civil penalty shall be conveyed

to the State Treasurer for deposit into the State General Fund. f. In addition to any damages, civil penalty, injunction or other appropriate relief

awarded in an action brought pursuant to subsection c. of this section, the court

may award the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees and costs.