New Jersey criminal charge
Burglar's tools in New Jersey
Burglar's tools is a criminal offense under New Jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5. Its classification is not fixed: New Jersey assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5.
What is the penalty for burglar's tools in New Jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (Manufacturing burglar's tools or publishing plans/instructions — Applies when the defendant manufactured the burglar's tools or published plans or instructions for their manufacture or use, with the requisite knowledge and purpose.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Manufacturing burglar's tools or publishing plans/instructions — Applies when the defendant manufactured the burglar's tools or published plans or instructions for their manufacture or use, with the requisite knowledge and purpose.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Possessing or providing burglar's tools (not manufactured/published) — Applies when the defendant merely possesses the burglar's tools or provides them to another, without having manufactured them or published plans/instructions.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Possessing or providing burglar's tools (not manufactured/published) — Applies when the defendant merely possesses the burglar's tools or provides them to another, without having manufactured them or published plans/instructions.) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
Applies to current.
How is burglar's tools classified in New Jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing burglar's tools or publishing plans/instructions | Crime of the Fourth Degree | Applies when the defendant manufactured the burglar's tools or published plans or instructions for their manufacture or use, with the requisite knowledge and purpose. | N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5undefined |
| Possessing or providing burglar's tools (not manufactured/published) | Disorderly Persons Offense | Applies when the defendant merely possesses the burglar's tools or provides them to another, without having manufactured them or published plans/instructions. | N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5undefined |
Common questions about burglar's tools in New Jersey
What degree of offense is burglar's tools in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: burglar's tools ranges from a Disorderly Persons Offense to a Crime of the Fourth Degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5.
Manufacturing burglar's tools or publishing plans/instructions: Crime of the Fourth Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5) · Possessing or providing burglar's tools (not manufactured/published): Disorderly Persons Offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5)
What are the penalties for burglar's tools in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey statute covers burglar's tools?
Burglar's tools is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5 (Burglar's tools).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.