Bill > A5526

Introduced Session

This bill addresses repeat convictions for disorderly persons theft. Ordinarily, theft offenses are graded by the value of the property or amount taken. Theft is graded as a disorderly persons offense if the amount involved was less than $200, or the property stolen is an electronic vehicle identification system transponder. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000, or both. This bill provides that if the person has been previously convicted within the past two years of a theft offense under paragraph (4) of subsection b. of N.J.S.A.2C:20-2, the current conviction shall be graded as a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is ordinarily punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The bill would not prohibit a higher degree theft charge if the value of the property stolen for the current crime exceeds the value for a fourth degree charge. Theft is a crime of the fourth degree if the amount is at least $200 and not more than $500. This bill is consistent with pending legislation in New York which would elevate petit larceny, a misdemeanor, to grand larceny, a low level felony, if the person was convicted for petit larceny conviction within the previous two years.

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Thomas Giblin (D)*,  Alex Sauickie (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 06/05/2023)

Official Document