{"id":375009,"date":"2018-02-28T18:32:20","date_gmt":"2018-02-28T23:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-embezzlement-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-02-28T18:32:20","modified_gmt":"2018-02-28T23:32:20","slug":"new-jersey-embezzlement-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-embezzlement-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Embezzlement Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

New Jersey Embezzlement Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A trusted employee stealing money from the workplace is more common than we would like to imagine. Although this isn’t the only way that embezzlement<\/a> occurs, employee theft<\/a> is one of the most prevalent forms of the crime. In order to commit this offense, an individual in legal possession of property because of their job, relationship<\/a>, or position, takes the property and uses it for reasons other than what they were entrusted to do with the property. The fact that the embezzler has the intent to commit fraud after gaining possession of the property is an element that distinguishes embezzlement from other theft crimes. For instance, a recycling company employee overpays a scrap metal collector for metal scrap and shares in the improper earnings.<\/p>\n

State laws handle embezzlement differently, some with separate statutes for the crime. New Jersey doesn’t have such a law and charges embezzlement under its general theft statute.<\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

    \n
  • If the property value is less than $200<\/b>; a disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and\/or a fine of up to $1,000<\/b> or double the amount of the victim’s loss, whichever is greater.<\/li>\n
  • If property is valued between $200-$500<\/b>, the offense is a fourth degree crime, punishable by imprisonment for 18 months and\/or a fined up to $10,000<\/b> or double the amount of the victim’s loss, whichever is greater.<\/li>\n
  • Worth more than $500 but less than $75,000<\/b>, the offense is a third degree crime punishable by imprisonment term ranging from 3-5 years and\/or a fine up to $15,000<\/b>, or double the amount of the victim’s loss, whichever is greater<\/li>\n
  • The property amount is $75,000 or more<\/b>, the crime is in the second degree punishable by an imprisonment term ranging from 5-10 years and\/or a fine up to $150,000<\/b>, or double the amount of the victim’s loss, whichever is greater.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

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

    \n
  • Lack of intent<\/li>\n
  • Duress<\/li>\n
  • Entrapment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

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