S.D. v. M.J.R., 2 A.3d 412, 422-26 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2010): Religious belief is no defense against criminal liability

In this case, the New Jersey appeals court found that the trial court had erred in revoking a restraint order against the husband who had beaten and raped his wife and had argued that his acts were motivated by and in accord with their religion, thus without any criminal intent. The court of appeals ruled that the argument was baseless and that religious motivation did not serve as a defense against laws of general applicability, regardless of one's religious beliefs.

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