Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VICTORIA A. FLYNN
District 13 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman GERRY SCHARFENBERGER
District 13 (Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Thomson, Rooney, S.Kean, Assemblywomen Piperno and Eulner
SYNOPSIS
Increases penalty for motor vehicle theft if, during course of theft, vehicle is operated in manner creating risk of injury or property damage.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning motor vehicle theft and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (2) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:20-2, theft of a motor vehicle is a crime of the first degree if, during the course of committing theft of a motor vehicle in violation of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (2) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:20-2, the motor vehicle is operated in a manner that creates a risk of injury to any person or risk of damage to property.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill grades theft of a motor vehicle as a crime of the first degree if, during the course of the offense, the vehicle is operated in a manner that creates a risk of injury to any person or a risk of damage to property. A first degree crime is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $200,000, or both.
It is the sponsor’s view that in instances where, in the course of committing theft of a motor vehicle, the actor exposes innocent persons to injury, or property to damage, sufficiently high penalties are warranted to deter this extremely violent conduct.