Bill > S3557

Introduced Session

This bill changes monetary threshold to $100 for certain fourth degree theft crimes, where the monetary threshold was previously set at a higher amount. Under current law contained within the consolidated theft statute, N.J.S.2C:20-2, theft constitutes a crime of the fourth degree if the amount involved is at least $200 but does not exceed $500, and constitutes a disorderly persons offense if the amount involved was less than $200. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:20-2, under which theft would constitute a crime of the fourth degree if the amount involved is at least $100 but does not exceed $500, and constitutes a disorderly persons offense for crimes involving was less than $100. The bill also provides that a person convicted of theft as an indictable offense is to be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of not less than one year. Current law, under N.J.S.2C:21-17, provides that a person is guilty of identity theft if the person engages in certain deceptive actions, defined under the statute, by any means including, but not limited to, the use of electronic communications or an Internet website. Under N.J.S.2C:21-17, a person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, if the person obtains a benefit or deprives another of a benefit in an amount less than $500 and the offense involves the identity of one victim; and guilty of a crime of the third degree, if the person obtains a benefit or deprives another of a benefit in an amount of at least $500 but less than $75,000, or the offense involves the identity of at least two but less than five victims. The bill amends the statute to provide that a person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, if the person obtains a benefit or deprives another of a benefit in an amount less than $100 and the offense involves the identity of one victim; and guilty of a crime of the third degree, if the person obtains a benefit or deprives another of a benefit in an amount of at least $100 but less than $75,000, or the offense involves the identity of at least two but less than five victims A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of up three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.

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Jim Beach (D)*, 

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee (on 12/16/2024)

Official Document