{"id":374966,"date":"2018-02-26T15:08:03","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T20:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-auto-theft-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-02-26T15:10:36","modified_gmt":"2018-02-26T20:10:36","slug":"new-jersey-auto-theft-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-auto-theft-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Auto Theft Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Jersey Auto Theft Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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When a car is left running and unattended, or a spare key is left near the vehicle, then it could be very tempting for a thief to make a move. If you give in to temptation and and steal a car, you could be facing charges for violating auto theft<\/a> laws.<\/p>\n

In New Jersey the actual charges for auto theft are covered under the state’s theft laws because the state doesn’t have a separate statute for stealing a motor vehicle. However, the state does impose specific penalties when someone is convicted of auto theft or the unlawful taking of a car<\/a>. Any person convicted of these crimes can be fined separately from the theft-associated fines. Additionally, the perpetrator’s driving privileges may be suspended for up to 10 years.<\/p>\n

New Jersey Auto Theft Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\n

The chart below provides a summary of statutes related to New Jersey’s auto theft laws, including links to important code sections.<\/p>\n\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Penalties and Sentencing<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Theft of a motor vehicle:<\/b><\/p>\n

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  • First offense: $500 fine and suspension or postponement of driver’s license for 1 year.<\/li>\n
  • Second offense: $750 fine and suspension or postponement of driver’s license for 2 years.<\/li>\n
  • Third offense: $1,000 fine and suspension or postponement of driver’s license for 10 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Use of juvenile in auto theft:<\/b> A person who is at least 18 years old who uses, solicits, hires or employs a person who is 17 years or younger to commit auto theft is guilty of a crime in the second degree.<\/p>\n

    Leader of an auto theft trafficking network:<\/b> A person who conspires with others as a supervisor\/organizer\/financier or manager to engage in profit in a scheme to unlawfully take\/dispose of distribute or transport stolen automobiles is guilty of a crime in the second degree. The court may impose a fine up to $250,000 or 5x the retail value of the cars, whichever is greater.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Possible Defenses<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Mistake of fact<\/li>\n
  • Consent<\/li>\n
  • Lack of intent — did not intend to deprive the owner of the property permanently.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Related Offenses<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n