Surprising Examples Of Theft You Might Not Have Considered In New Jersey

When most people think of the word “theft,” they picture shoplifting or wallet-snatching. However, theft is actually a very broad term that can encompass a wide range of acts. You might be surprised at some examples that fall into the general category of theft in New Jersey. Even though some of these theft-related offenses are non-violent in nature, they can lead to serious criminal consequences. 

Fake GoFundMe Pages 

A fake GoFundMe page technically falls into the category of theft – or “theft by deception.” In this case, you are depriving people of their money under false pretenses. For example, you might claim that you are terminally ill, when really you have received no such diagnosis. You might also claim to be someone else who really is terminally ill. You should know that if people send you funds from other states, you could face federal charges. Potential offenses include fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, grand larceny, and many others. 

Changing the Title on a Real Estate Property 

To be convicted of theft, all you need to do is deprive the owner of their property. There are many ways to do this without violence, and you can even commit theft without ever placing your hands on the property. An obvious example involves real estate. If you remove someone’s name from the title of a real estate property and replace it with your own, you are effectively stealing that property. As a result, you may face a wide range of theft-related charges. 

Receiving Stolen Property 

Often, receiving stolen property is just as bad as stealing the items yourself. Courts in New Jersey view both offenses as serious crimes, and you may face criminal consequences if you knowingly accept items that are stolen. That being said, you can avoid consequences if you prove that you had no idea the items were stolen. 

Theft of Services 

Stealing services can be just as serious as stealing physical property. For example, you might hack into a video streaming service and illegally watch movies for free. You might also trick a service provider into performing tasks free of charge. Whatever the case may be, this is just as serious as stealing physical items. In many cases, it is more serious. Remember, theft penalties may depend on the net value of stolen services. If you steal services for years without anyone noticing, you could face serious consequences. 

Find a Qualified Defense Attorney in Bergen County Today 

If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney, look no further than Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law. Over the years, we have helped numerous defendants fight theft charges in New Jersey. We know that these charges may seem daunting – especially if your offense was non-violent in nature. Book your consultation today to assess the most appropriate defense strategy.

Sources: 

nj.com/gloucester-county/2023/03/nj-youtuber-who-flaunted-30m-tv-piracy-scheme-sentenced-to-prison.html#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20five%20years,he%20gained%20from%20the%20operation.

justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/essex-county-man-sentenced-20-months-prison-conspiring-commit-mortgage-fraud