New Jersey § 2c:2-4

§ 2c:2-4.

a. Ignorance or mistake as to a matter of fact or law is a defense if the defendant

reasonably arrived at the conclusion underlying the mistake and: (1) It negatives the culpable mental state required to establish the offense; or (2) The law provides that the state of mind established by such ignorance or mistake

constitutes a defense. b. Although ignorance or mistake would otherwise afford a defense to the offense charged,

the defense is not available if the defendant would be guilty of another offense had

the situation been as he supposed. In such case, however, the ignorance or mistake of the defendant shall reduce the

grade and degree of the offense of which he may be convicted to those of the offense

of which he would be guilty had the situation been as he supposed. c. A belief that conduct does not legally constitute an offense is a defense to a

prosecution for that offense based upon such conduct when: (1) The statute defining the offense is not known to the actor and has not been published

or otherwise reasonably made available prior to the conduct alleged; or (2) The actor acts in reasonable reliance upon an official statement of the law, afterward

determined to be invalid or erroneous, contained in (a) a statute, (b) judicial decision,

opinion, judgment, or rule, (c) an administrative order or grant of permission, or

(d) an official interpretation of the public officer or body charged by law with responsibility

for the interpretation, administration or enforcement of the law defining the offense;

or (3) The actor otherwise diligently pursues all means available to ascertain the meaning

and application of the offense to his conduct and honestly and in good faith concludes

his conduct is not an offense in circumstances in which a law-abiding and prudent

person would also so conclude. The defendant must prove a defense arising under subsection c. of this section by

clear and convincing evidence.