Charges of stealing a vehicle can be extremely serious, and in New Jersey they will often be prosecuted under the Unlawful Taking of Means of Conveyance (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10) statute.
Under the law, it is a crime to take or operate another person’s vehicle without their consent and with intent to temporarily withhold it from them, or to enter or ride in a vehicle you know has been taken unlawfully.
When the vehicle is not a motor vehicle, the charge is a disorderly persons offense with a maximum sentence of six months.
When the vehicle is a motor vehicle, the charge becomes a crime of the fourth degree, with a maximum sentence of eighteen months.
It is also a crime of the fourth degree to enter or ride in a vehicle that you know has been unlawfully taken.
If an unlawfully taken vehicle is operated in a manner that creates a risk to another person, you will be charged at the third degree level, with a maximum sentence of three to five years.
The dangers of conviction are significant when you’ve been charged with a crime, and your best chance of a successful resolution is by working with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.
Matthew Reisig has been in practice protecting clients in New Jersey for nearly two decades.
Call 732-625-9661 today for a free consultation.