• Home
  • Attorney Profile
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal
      • Criminal Courts
        • Assault
          • Aggravated Assault Lawyer Asbury Park NJ
          • Assault Lawyer Red Bank NJ
        • Burglary
          • Burglary Lawyer Keyport NJ
        • Disorderly Persons Offense
        • Drug Distribution
        • Domestic Violence
        • Drug Possession
          • Belmar NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
          • Drug Possession Lawyer Eatontown NJ
          • Drug Possession Lawyer Matawan NJ
          • Drug Possession Lawyer Sayreville NJ
          • Drug Possession Lawyer Sea Bright NJ
          • Freehold NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
          • Hazlet Municipal Court Lawyer
          • Keyport NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
          • Municipalities
            • Sayreville NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
          • Sea Bright NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
        • Fake ID
          • Lawyer Fake ID Ocean Twp NJ
        • Fraud
        • Harassment
        • Juvenile Crimes
          • About New Jersey Juvenile Crimes
        • Resisting Arrest
        • Shoplifting
          • Municipalities
            • Aberdeen New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Belmar NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Fair Haven NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Freehold NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Hazlet NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Holmdel NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Jackson NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Keyport Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Middletown Shoplifting Expungement Lawyer
            • Shoplifting Lawyer Eatontown NJ
            • Shoplifting Lawyer Matawan NJ
            • Shoplifting Lawyer Red Bank NJ
            • Shoplifting Lawyer Red Bank NJ
            • Tinton Falls NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
          • Stores
            • Best Buy New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Kohl’s Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Macy’s Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Old Navy New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Sears Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Target New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Walmart New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
        • Terroristic Threats
        • Theft
          • About New Jersey Theft
        • Underage Drinking
          • MetLife Stadium Underage Possession of Alcohol Lawyer
          • Underage Possession of Alcohol
    • DWI
      • DWI Courts
        • Aberdeen NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Allentown NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Asbury Park NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Atlantic Highlands NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Avon by the Sea DWI Lawyer
        • BARNEGAT NJ DWI LAWYER
        • BEACH HAVEN NJ DWI LAWYER
        • BEACHWOOD NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Belmar NJ DWI Lawyer
        • BERKELEY NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Bradley Beach NJ DWI Lawyer
        • BRICK NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Brielle NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Colts Neck NJ DWI Lawyer
        • DWI Checkpoint Middletown NJ
        • DWI Lawyer Allenhurst NJ
        • DWI Lawyer Deal NJ
        • DWI Lawyer Red Bank NJ
        • DWI Lawyer Sea Bright NJ
        • DWI Refusal Lawyer Keansburg NJ
        • EAGLESWOOD NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Eatontown NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Englishtown NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Fair Haven NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Farmingdale NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Freehold Boro DWI Lawyer
        • Freehold Township DWI Lawyer
        • Hazlet NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Highlands DWI Lawyer
        • Holmdel NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Howell NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Jackson NJ DWI Lawyer
        • JACKSON NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Jersey Shore DWI Lawyer
        • Keansburg NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Keyport NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Keyport NJ DWI Refusal Lawyer
        • LACEY NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Lake Como NJ DWI Lawyer
        • LITTLE EGG HARBOR DWI LAWYER
        • Little Silver DWI Lawyer
        • Long Beach, NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Long Branch NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Manalapan NJ DWI Lawyer
        • MANCHESTER NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Marlboro NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Matawan NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Middletown NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Middletown NJ DWI Refusal Lawyer
        • Monmouth County NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Neptune NJ DWI Checkpoint
        • Neptune NJ DWI Lawyer
        • OCEAN GATE NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Ocean Township New Jersey DWI Lawyer
        • Ocean Township NJ (Ocean County) DWI LAWYER
        • Oceanport NJ DWI Lawyer
        • PLUMSTEAD NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Red Bank NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Red Bank NJ DWI Refusal Lawyer
        • Rumson NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Sayreville NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Shrewsbury NJ DWI Lawyer
        • STAFFORD NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Tinton Falls NJ DWI Lawyer
        • TOMS RIVER NJ DWI LAWYER
        • TUCKERTON NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Wall NJ DWI Checkpoint
        • Wall NJ DWI Lawyer
    • Expungement
      • Municipalities
        • Freehold NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Matawan NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Middletown NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Monmouth County NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Red Bank NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Tinton Falls New Jersey Expungement Lawyer
    • Municipalities
      • Brick Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Holmdel NJ Municipal Court
      • Keyport NJ Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Marlboro New Jersey Lawyer
      • Matawan NJ Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Middlesex NJ Municipal Court
      • Middletown NJ Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Union Beach Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Woodbridge NJ Municipal Court Lawyer
    • Traffic
      • Traffic Court
        • About New Jersey Reckless Driving
        • Careless Driving
        • Failure to Observe Traffic Signal
        • Jackson NJ Driving While Suspended
        • Leaving the Scene of an Accident
          • Freehold NJ Leaving the Scene of an Accident Lawyer
          • Lawyer for Hit and Run Ocean County NJ
        • NJ Speeding Ticket Lawyer
        • Tailgating
  • Law Resources
    • Criminal Law Resources
      • Criminal Penalties in New Jersey
      • Criminal Process in New Jersey
      • Drug Possession
      • False Public Alarm
      • New Jersey Drug Arrest Expungement Lawyer
      • New Jersey Pretrial Intervention (PTI)
      • New Jersey State Constitution
      • New Jersey Statutes
      • Possession of CDS ( Drugs ) in Motor Vehicle
      • Riot
      • White Collar Crimes
    • DWI Resources
      • About New Jersey DWI Law
      • About New Jersey DWI Refusal
      • DWI
      • DWI Blood Tests
      • DWI Breath Tests
      • DWI Refusal
      • New Jersey DWI Court Process
      • New Jersey DWI Penalties
      • New Jersey DWI Statute
      • NJ DWI Field Sobriety Tests
      • NJ Underage DWI Lawyer
    • Expungement Resources
    • PROJECT DEFEND THE DEFENDERS
    • Traffic Law Resources
      • Auto Accidents
      • Driving While Suspended
      • Driving without Insurance
      • New Jersey Defensive Driving Courses
      • New Jersey Motor Vehicle Point Violations Schedule
      • New Jersey Young Drivers Program
      • Obtain Your Driving History
      • Pay Your Restoration Fee Online
      • Pay Your Traffic Tickets Online
  • Client Resources
    • How to File a Complaint Against Another Person
    • Obtain Your New Jersey Driving History
    • Pay Your NJ Restoration Fee Online
    • Pay Your Traffic Tickets Online
  • Contact

About New Jersey Theft

finalconsultbutton

About New Jersey Theft

New Jersey theft crimes are among the most serious cases. Police and prosecutors aggressively pursue convictions for theft crimes. Theft crimes encompass a broad range of criminal offenses, including misappropriating funds, stealing property or committing fraud.

The manner in which a theft crime is carried out, as well as whether it is violent or non-violent in nature, will often influence the way in which the case is prosecuted. Some theft crimes, such as robbery or burglary, are committed with force or violence.  Shoplifting, on the other hand, is carried out in a more subtle manner with the hopes of not even being noticed.  Fraud is yet another form of theft that involves deceit to carry out the offense.  In some situations, fraud is also referred to as “theft by deception.”

Regardless of the nature of the offense, a theft conviction can have a significant impact on a defendant’s future.  Theft is a crime of moral turpitude.  That means it is a crime that reflect on one’s character.  As a result, convictions can have lifelong consequences.  Indeed, a theft conviction can result in a permanent criminal record.  Since employers routinely conduct background checks, a theft conviction can severely limit employment opportunities.

Click here to read some of New Jersey’s theft statutes.

 

[N.J.S. 2C:20-3. ] Theft by unlawful taking or disposition

a.  Movable property.    A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully takes, or exercises unlawful control over, movable property of another with purpose to deprive him thereof.

b.  Immovable property.    A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully transfers any interest in immovable property of another with purpose to benefit  himself or another not entitled thereto.

L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:20-3, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.

 

[N.J.S. 2C:20-4.]  Theft by deception 
A person is guilty of theft if he purposely obtains property of another by deception.  A person deceives if he purposely:

Creates or reinforces a false impression, including false impressions as  to law, value, intention or other state of mind, and including, but not limited to, a false impression that the person is soliciting or collecting funds for a charitable purpose;  but deception as to a person’s intention to perform a promise shall not be inferred from the fact alone that he did not subsequently perform the promise;

b. Prevents another from acquiring information which would affect his judgment of a transaction;  or

c. Fails to correct a false impression which the deceiver previously created or reinforced, or which the deceiver knows to be influencing another to whom he stands in a fiduciary or confidential relationship.

The term “deceive” does not, however, include falsity as to matters having no pecuniary significance, or puffing or exaggeration by statements unlikely to deceive ordinary persons in the group addressed.

L.1978, c.95; amended 2003, c.43.

 

[N.J.S. 2C:20-5.]  Theft by extortion

A person is guilty of theft by extortion if he purposely and unlawfully obtains property of another by extortion.  A person extorts if he purposely threatens to:

a.  Inflict bodily injury on or physically confine or restrain anyone or commit any other criminal offense;

b.  Accuse anyone of an offense or cause charges of an offense to be instituted against any person;

c.  Expose or publicize any secret or any asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt or ridicule, or to impair his credit or business repute;

d.  Take or withhold action as an official, or cause an official to take or  withhold action;

e.  Bring about or continue a strike, boycott or other collective action, if  the property is not demanded or received for the benefit of the group in whose  interest the actor purports to act;

f.  Testify or provide information or withhold testimony or information with  respect to another’s legal claim or defense;  or

g.  Inflict any other harm which would not substantially benefit the actor but which is calculated to materially harm another person.

It is an affirmative defense to prosecution based on paragraphs b, c, d or f  that the property obtained was honestly claimed as restitution or indemnification for harm done in the circumstances or as lawful compensation for property or services.

L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:20-5, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.  Amended by L.1979, c. 178, s. 34, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.

[N.J.S. 2C:20-6.]  Theft of property lost, mislaid, or delivered by mistake
A person who comes into control of property of another that he knows to have  been lost, mislaid, or delivered under a mistake as to the nature or amount of  the property or the identity of the recipient is guilty of theft if, knowing  the identity of the owner and with purpose to deprive said owner thereof, he  converts the property to his own use.

L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:20-6, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.]

 

Fines & Monetary Penalties

In New Jersey, penalties for theft crimes are directly related to the amount allegedly stolen.

Value Stolen Criminal Degree Potential Jail Term
$75,000 or more 2nd Degree Crime Up to 10 years in prison
More than $500 and less than $75,000 3rd Degree Crime Up to 5 years in prison
More than $200 up to $500 4th Degree Crime Up to 18 months in jail
Less than $200 Disorderly Persons Offense Up to 6 months in jail

 

Furthermore, the nature of the property stolen can also increase the potential penalties.  For instance, theft can be a Second Degree crime if the property is taken by extortion, considered a dangerous or controlled substance greater than 1 kilogram, or involves human remains.  Similarly, theft can be a Third Degree crime if the property is a gun, automobile, boat, airplane, pet, taken from the body of the victim (as in from their pocket or hand), taken by threat, social benefits (such as Social Security, TANF, food stamps) or a blank prescription.

Contact

Your Name (required):

Your Email (required):

Subject:

Your Message:

Please Enter the Value of This Image Below:
captcha

Enter the Captcha Value Here:

footermap Mollo Law Firm
157 Broad Street, Suite 201
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: (732) 747-1844
Fax: (732) 747-1811
Text: (732) 567-2441
E-mail:

Follow us:

facebookgoogleplustwitterlinkedinyoutube
Hesitant to call? Watch this.
DWI? Watch this.
Tweets by @MolloLaw

Copyright © 2019 Mollo Law Firm. All rights reserved. Sitemap | Website by New Frontier

Disclaimer

MENU
  • Home
  • Attorney Profile
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal
      • Criminal Courts
        • Assault
          • Aggravated Assault Lawyer Asbury Park NJ
          • Assault Lawyer Red Bank NJ
        • Burglary
          • Burglary Lawyer Keyport NJ
        • Disorderly Persons Offense
        • Drug Distribution
        • Domestic Violence
        • Drug Possession
          • Belmar NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
          • Drug Possession Lawyer Eatontown NJ
          • Drug Possession Lawyer Matawan NJ
          • Drug Possession Lawyer Sayreville NJ
          • Drug Possession Lawyer Sea Bright NJ
          • Freehold NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
          • Hazlet Municipal Court Lawyer
          • Keyport NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
          • Municipalities
            • Sayreville NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
          • Sea Bright NJ Drug Possession Lawyer
        • Fake ID
          • Lawyer Fake ID Ocean Twp NJ
        • Fraud
        • Harassment
        • Juvenile Crimes
          • About New Jersey Juvenile Crimes
        • Resisting Arrest
        • Shoplifting
          • Municipalities
            • Aberdeen New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Belmar NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Fair Haven NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Freehold NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Hazlet NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Holmdel NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Jackson NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Keyport Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Middletown Shoplifting Expungement Lawyer
            • Shoplifting Lawyer Eatontown NJ
            • Shoplifting Lawyer Matawan NJ
            • Shoplifting Lawyer Red Bank NJ
            • Shoplifting Lawyer Red Bank NJ
            • Tinton Falls NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
          • Stores
            • Best Buy New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Kohl’s Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Macy’s Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Old Navy New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Sears Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Target New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
            • Walmart New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer
        • Terroristic Threats
        • Theft
          • About New Jersey Theft
        • Underage Drinking
          • MetLife Stadium Underage Possession of Alcohol Lawyer
          • Underage Possession of Alcohol
    • DWI
      • DWI Courts
        • Aberdeen NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Allentown NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Asbury Park NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Atlantic Highlands NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Avon by the Sea DWI Lawyer
        • BARNEGAT NJ DWI LAWYER
        • BEACH HAVEN NJ DWI LAWYER
        • BEACHWOOD NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Belmar NJ DWI Lawyer
        • BERKELEY NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Bradley Beach NJ DWI Lawyer
        • BRICK NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Brielle NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Colts Neck NJ DWI Lawyer
        • DWI Checkpoint Middletown NJ
        • DWI Lawyer Allenhurst NJ
        • DWI Lawyer Deal NJ
        • DWI Lawyer Red Bank NJ
        • DWI Lawyer Sea Bright NJ
        • DWI Refusal Lawyer Keansburg NJ
        • EAGLESWOOD NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Eatontown NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Englishtown NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Fair Haven NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Farmingdale NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Freehold Boro DWI Lawyer
        • Freehold Township DWI Lawyer
        • Hazlet NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Highlands DWI Lawyer
        • Holmdel NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Howell NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Jackson NJ DWI Lawyer
        • JACKSON NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Jersey Shore DWI Lawyer
        • Keansburg NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Keyport NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Keyport NJ DWI Refusal Lawyer
        • LACEY NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Lake Como NJ DWI Lawyer
        • LITTLE EGG HARBOR DWI LAWYER
        • Little Silver DWI Lawyer
        • Long Beach, NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Long Branch NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Manalapan NJ DWI Lawyer
        • MANCHESTER NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Marlboro NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Matawan NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Middletown NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Middletown NJ DWI Refusal Lawyer
        • Monmouth County NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Neptune NJ DWI Checkpoint
        • Neptune NJ DWI Lawyer
        • OCEAN GATE NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Ocean Township New Jersey DWI Lawyer
        • Ocean Township NJ (Ocean County) DWI LAWYER
        • Oceanport NJ DWI Lawyer
        • PLUMSTEAD NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Red Bank NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Red Bank NJ DWI Refusal Lawyer
        • Rumson NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Sayreville NJ DWI Lawyer
        • Shrewsbury NJ DWI Lawyer
        • STAFFORD NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Tinton Falls NJ DWI Lawyer
        • TOMS RIVER NJ DWI LAWYER
        • TUCKERTON NJ DWI LAWYER
        • Wall NJ DWI Checkpoint
        • Wall NJ DWI Lawyer
    • Expungement
      • Municipalities
        • Freehold NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Matawan NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Middletown NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Monmouth County NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Red Bank NJ Expungement Lawyer
        • Tinton Falls New Jersey Expungement Lawyer
    • Municipalities
      • Brick Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Holmdel NJ Municipal Court
      • Keyport NJ Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Marlboro New Jersey Lawyer
      • Matawan NJ Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Middlesex NJ Municipal Court
      • Middletown NJ Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Union Beach Municipal Court Lawyer
      • Woodbridge NJ Municipal Court Lawyer
    • Traffic
      • Traffic Court
        • About New Jersey Reckless Driving
        • Careless Driving
        • Failure to Observe Traffic Signal
        • Jackson NJ Driving While Suspended
        • Leaving the Scene of an Accident
          • Freehold NJ Leaving the Scene of an Accident Lawyer
          • Lawyer for Hit and Run Ocean County NJ
        • NJ Speeding Ticket Lawyer
        • Tailgating
  • Law Resources
    • Criminal Law Resources
      • Criminal Penalties in New Jersey
      • Criminal Process in New Jersey
      • Drug Possession
      • False Public Alarm
      • New Jersey Drug Arrest Expungement Lawyer
      • New Jersey Pretrial Intervention (PTI)
      • New Jersey State Constitution
      • New Jersey Statutes
      • Possession of CDS ( Drugs ) in Motor Vehicle
      • Riot
      • White Collar Crimes
    • DWI Resources
      • About New Jersey DWI Law
      • About New Jersey DWI Refusal
      • DWI
      • DWI Blood Tests
      • DWI Breath Tests
      • DWI Refusal
      • New Jersey DWI Court Process
      • New Jersey DWI Penalties
      • New Jersey DWI Statute
      • NJ DWI Field Sobriety Tests
      • NJ Underage DWI Lawyer
    • Expungement Resources
    • PROJECT DEFEND THE DEFENDERS
    • Traffic Law Resources
      • Auto Accidents
      • Driving While Suspended
      • Driving without Insurance
      • New Jersey Defensive Driving Courses
      • New Jersey Motor Vehicle Point Violations Schedule
      • New Jersey Young Drivers Program
      • Obtain Your Driving History
      • Pay Your Restoration Fee Online
      • Pay Your Traffic Tickets Online
  • Client Resources
    • How to File a Complaint Against Another Person
    • Obtain Your New Jersey Driving History
    • Pay Your NJ Restoration Fee Online
    • Pay Your Traffic Tickets Online
  • Contact