Under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3, theft by unlawful taking occurs when someone unlawfully takes or exercises control over another person’s movable or immovable property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it.

Key Elements:

• Taking property without consent
• Intent to permanently deprive the owner
• Applies to physical property (money, vehicles, merchandise, etc.)

2C:20-3(b) applies when someone unlawfully transfers or exercises control over legal title or a partial interest in property (such as through forged deeds or fraudulent vehicle transfers).

Common Examples:

• Forged property transfers
• Fraudulent vehicle title transfers
• Unauthorized sale of co-owned property

Charges and penalties are based on the value of the interest taken.

Theft by deception occurs when someone intentionally obtains property by lying, creating a false impression, or failing to correct a false belief.

Examples:

• Investment scams
• Contractor fraud
• Check fraud
• False business representations

Penalties are graded by the amount involved.

Extortion involves obtaining property through threats. This may include threats to:

• Cause bodily harm
• Accuse someone of a crime
• Expose secrets
• Damage property

This is often charged as a second-degree crime, carrying 5–10 years in prison.

If someone finds lost property or receives money by mistake and fails to return it when they know the owner can be identified, they may be charged under this statute 2C:20-6.

Example: Keeping a bank deposit that was mistakenly credited to your account.

A person commits the offense of receiving stolen property if they knowingly receive or possess property that has been stolen.

Important Element:

The prosecution must prove the defendant knew or believed the property was stolen.

Penalties depend on value and circumstances.

“Fencing” involves trafficking or dealing in stolen property as part of a business operation.
This offense often carries enhanced penalties, especially when conducted as an organized enterprise.

When someone purposely obtains services without payment its generally theft of services this is a similar offense to shoplifting but generally does not occur in a store.

Examples:

• Skipping out on a restaurant bill
• Utility theft
• Cable or internet service theft
• Fare evasion

Grading depends on the value of services obtained the same as theft by unlawful taking noted earlier

This applies when someone lawfully receives property but fails to deliver it as required thus they failed to make a promised disposition of property.

Common Examplse:

• Escrow agent or Executor of an estate misusing funds
• Contractor misappropriating client funds

This charge frequently arises in white-collar investigations.

Commonly referred to as “joyriding.”

This offense occurs when someone takes a vehicle without permission but without intent to permanently deprive the owner.

It is typically a third- or fourth-degree crime.

New Jersey shoplifting law covers more than just taking merchandise.

It includes:

• Concealment
• Altering price tags
• Under-ringing
• Transferring items between containers
• Leaving store without paying

The most frequent theft crime with repeat offenses having mandatory jail time, Although even first time offenders can go to jail it is just not mandatory by law and will be decided by the judge.

This statute criminalizes the removal or concealment of books or library materials without authorization.

Though less common, it can still result in criminal charges and fines.

Operating a “chop shop” or facility used to dismantle stolen vehicles for parts is a serious felony offense, typically graded as a second-degree crime.

This statute enhances penalties when an adult uses a minor to commit auto theft.
Courts treat this as an aggravating factor, often leading to substantial prison exposure.

This charge targets individuals who organize or lead auto theft rings.
It carries severe penalties similar to racketeering offenses and may result in long-term imprisonment.

Computer theft involves unauthorized access, alteration, destruction, or theft of data, computer systems, or digital property

Examples:

• Hacking
• Data theft
• Ransomware attacks
• Corporate data breaches

Penalties vary depending on financial loss and scope of damage  See Elements in 2C20-25.

This section outlines what the State must prove to convict someone of computer theft, including:

• Unauthorized access
• Intentional alteration or destruction
• Financial loss
• Fraudulent purpose

These cases often involve forensic evidence and expert testimony.

This statute criminalizes possessing or distributing another person’s identifying information (such as Social Security numbers or financial data) for fraudulent purposes.

Includes:

• Identity theft schemes
• Credit card fraud operations
• Dark web sales of personal data

Penalties increase based on the number of victims and financial loss.