Bill > A348

Introduced Session

This bill would upgrade the crime of theft if the amount involved is $500,000 or more. Under the theft statute, N.J.S.2C:20-2, the grading of theft ranges from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the first degree depending on the amount involved, the particular type of property taken, and certain other circumstances. For example, theft is currently a crime of the second degree if the amount involved is $75,000 or more; if the property is taken by extortion; if the property consists of a controlled dangerous substance or analog in a quantity over one kilogram; if the property consists of certain health care benefits; if the theft is in breach of an obligation by a person in his capacity as a fiduciary and the amount involved is $50,000 or more; or if the property consists of human remains. Theft is currently a crime of the first degree only if the property is human remains that were stolen by deception or falsification of a document under the "Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act," P.L.2008, c.50 (C.26:6-77 et al.). This bill would create a new crime of the first degree for theft of property in an amount of $500,000 or more. Under the bill, theft would remain a crime of the second degree if the amount involved is $75,000 but less than $500,000. The bill also makes technical changes to clarify that theft of human remains by deception or falsification of a document under the "Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act" would remain a crime of the first degree.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sean Kean (R)*,  Edward Thomson (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/14/2020)

Official Document