New jersey criminal charge
Theft of services in New jersey
Theft of services is a criminal offense under New jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8. 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:20-8.
What is the penalty for theft of services in New jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (no statutory minimum) (Gas/water/electric meter tampering (subsection c) — Applies when a person, without permission and with intent to defraud, connects, disconnects, or tampers with meters, pipes, or conduits to obtain electric current, gas, or water.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Gas/water/electric meter tampering (subsection c) — Applies when a person, without permission and with intent to defraud, connects, disconnects, or tampers with meters, pipes, or conduits to obtain electric current, gas, or water.) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (no statutory minimum) (Electric meter tampering (subsection d) — Applies when a person, without permission or authority, tampers with an electric meter to prevent it from fully recording current supplied.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Electric meter tampering (subsection d) — Applies when a person, without permission or authority, tampers with an electric meter to prevent it from fully recording current supplied.) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Unauthorized use of telecommunications service (subsection h) — Applies when a person, intending to deprive a telephone company of lawful charges, uses unauthorized devices, billing information, or misleading information to obtain telecommunications service.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Unauthorized use of telecommunications service (subsection h) — Applies when a person, intending to deprive a telephone company of lawful charges, uses unauthorized devices, billing information, or misleading information to obtain telecommunications service.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Manufacture/sale of telecommunications interception devices (subsection i) — Applies to a person who manufactures, sells, or distributes equipment or software designed to facilitate unauthorized receipt of telecommunications service.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Manufacture/sale of telecommunications interception devices (subsection i) — Applies to a person who manufactures, sells, or distributes equipment or software designed to facilitate unauthorized receipt of telecommunications service.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Possession of telecommunications interception devices (subsection j) — Applies to a person who possesses or maintains equipment or software used to facilitate unauthorized receipt of telecommunications service.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Possession of telecommunications interception devices (subsection j) — Applies to a person who possesses or maintains equipment or software used to facilitate unauthorized receipt of telecommunications service.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
Applies to current.
How is theft of services classified in New jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas/water/electric meter tampering (subsection c) | disorderly persons offense | Applies when a person, without permission and with intent to defraud, connects, disconnects, or tampers with meters, pipes, or conduits to obtain electric current, gas, or water. | N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8undefined |
| Electric meter tampering (subsection d) | disorderly persons offense | Applies when a person, without permission or authority, tampers with an electric meter to prevent it from fully recording current supplied. | N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8undefined |
| Unauthorized use of telecommunications service (subsection h) | crime of the third degree | Applies when a person, intending to deprive a telephone company of lawful charges, uses unauthorized devices, billing information, or misleading information to obtain telecommunications service. | N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8undefined |
| Manufacture/sale of telecommunications interception devices (subsection i) | crime of the third degree | Applies to a person who manufactures, sells, or distributes equipment or software designed to facilitate unauthorized receipt of telecommunications service. | N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8undefined |
| Possession of telecommunications interception devices (subsection j) | crime of the third degree | Applies to a person who possesses or maintains equipment or software used to facilitate unauthorized receipt of telecommunications service. | N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8undefined |
Common questions about theft of services in New jersey
What degree of offense is theft of services in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: theft of services ranges from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the third degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8.
Gas/water/electric meter tampering (subsection c): disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8) · Electric meter tampering (subsection d): disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8) · Unauthorized use of telecommunications service (subsection h): crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8) · Manufacture/sale of telecommunications interception devices (subsection i): crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8) · Possession of telecommunications interception devices (subsection j): crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8)
What are the penalties for theft of services in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey statute covers theft of services?
Theft of services is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8 (Theft of services).
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.