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New Jersey criminal charge

Degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property in New Jersey

Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session

Degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property is a criminal offense under New Jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6. Its classification is not fixed: New Jersey assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6.

What is the penalty for degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property in New Jersey?

Penalties for Degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison3 years to 5 years (Pecuniary loss $2,000 or more — Applies when the actor causes pecuniary loss of $2,000 or more.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs))presumptiveN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Fineup to $15,000 (Pecuniary loss $2,000 or more — Applies when the actor causes pecuniary loss of $2,000 or more.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Jail / prisonup to 18 months (Pecuniary loss more than $500 but less than $2,000 — Applies when the actor causes pecuniary loss of more than $500 but less than $2,000.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs))discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Fineup to $10,000 (Pecuniary loss more than $500 but less than $2,000 — Applies when the actor causes pecuniary loss of more than $500 but less than $2,000.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3))discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Jail / prisonup to 6 months (Pecuniary loss $500 or less — Applies when the actor causes pecuniary loss of $500 or less.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-8
Fineup to $1,000 (Pecuniary loss $500 or less — Applies when the actor causes pecuniary loss of $500 or less.)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-8

Applies to current.

How is degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property classified in New Jersey?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Pecuniary loss $2,000 or moreCrime of the Third DegreeApplies when the actor causes pecuniary loss of $2,000 or more.N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6undefined
Pecuniary loss more than $500 but less than $2,000Crime of the Fourth DegreeApplies when the actor causes pecuniary loss of more than $500 but less than $2,000.N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6undefined
Pecuniary loss $500 or lessDisorderly Persons OffenseApplies when the actor causes pecuniary loss of $500 or less.N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6undefined

Common questions about degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property in New Jersey

What degree of offense is degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property ranges from a Disorderly Persons Offense to a Crime of the Third Degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6.

Pecuniary loss $2,000 or more: Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6) · Pecuniary loss more than $500 but less than $2,000: Crime of the Fourth Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6) · Pecuniary loss $500 or less: Disorderly Persons Offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6)

What are the penalties for degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property in New Jersey?

Penalties for degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a Disorderly Persons Offense up to a Crime of the Third Degree — with the ranges set by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 and N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which New Jersey statute covers degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property?

Degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:18-6 (Degree of crime; penalties; restitution; liability to owner of property).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.