Charged with Joyriding in Morris County NJ?
If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with joyriding in Morris County, The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can help. As you will see below joyriding, which is also referred to as the unauthorized use of an automobile, is a third degree felony offense in New Jersey. If convicted, not only is a Defendant looking at a lengthy state prison sentence but a high fine as well. Most Defendant’s charged joyriding also find themselves dealing with carjacking, robbery, aggravated assault and theft charges as well. At The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall our attorneys fully understand what a felony conviction for joyriding or anything else for that matter can do to ones life. If you have been arrested for joyriding in Madison, Parsippany, Dover, Denville, Mt. Olive, Roxbury, Morris Township or Hanover and would like a free consultation then please contact our Morristown office at 973.309.7050. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to help assist in any way possible. Now here is some key information on the offense of joyriding, including the applicable penalties if convicted.
Parsippany NJ Joyriding Defense Attorneys
Joyriding differs from most theft charges, including carjacking, in large part do to the Defendant’s underline intent. In New Jersey, a Defendant will be charged with joyriding if it was the Defendant’s intentions to simply deprive the owner of their vehicle for a temporary time period as opposed to permanently. The governing statute in New Jersey for joyriding is N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10, which states in pertinent part:
2C:20-10: Unlawful Taking of Means of Conveyance
a. A person commits a disorderly persons offense if, with purpose to withhold temporarily from the owner, he takes, operates, or exercises control over any means of conveyance, other than a motor vehicle, without consent of the owner or other person authorized to give consent. “Means of conveyance” includes but is not limited to motor vehicles, bicycles, motorized bicycles, boats, horses, vessels, surfboards, rafts, skimobiles, airplanes, trains, trams and trailers. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under subsections a., b. and c. of this section that the actor reasonably believed that the owner or any other person authorized to give consent would have consented to the operation had he known of it.
b. A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if, with purpose to withhold temporarily from the owner, he takes, operates or exercises control over a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner or other person authorized to give consent.
c. A person commits a crime of the third degree if, with purpose to withhold temporarily from the owner, he takes, operates or exercises control over a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner or other person authorized to give consent and operates the motor vehicle in a manner that creates a risk of injury to any person or a risk of damage to property.
d. A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he enters and rides in a motor vehicle knowing that the motor vehicle has been taken or is being operated without the consent of the owner or other person authorized to consent.
What are the Penalties for Joyriding in NJ?
- 3rd Degree Felony:
- 3 – 5 Years in a State Prison;
- $15,000 Fine;
- Felony Criminal Record.
- 4th Degree Felony:
- 18 Months in a State Prison;
- $10,000 Fine;
- Felony Criminal Record.
- Disorderly Persons Offense (Misdemeanor)
- 6 Months in the Morris County Jail;
- $1,000 Fine;
- Criminal Record.
Autor Theft Lawyer in Morristown NJ
As you can tell from above, the penalties if convicted can be life altering, therefore, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of a qualified criminal defense attorney immediately. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is an experienced Morris County criminal defense firm. Our office has over 200 years of combined experience on staff including, including years of prior prosecuting experience. If you or a loved one has been charged with a criminal offense in towns like Mendham, Rockaway, Roxbury, Montville, Boonton or Pequannock, we can help. Remember, our initial consultations are always free.