New Jersey criminal charge
Motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty in New Jersey
Motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty is a criminal offense under New Jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6. 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:17-6.
What is the penalty for motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty in New Jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Removal, alteration, or defacement of identification number for unlawful purpose — A person who removes, defaces, alters, changes, destroys, covers or obliterates any trademark, distinguishing or identification number, serial number or mark on or from any motor vehicle for an unlawful purpose.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $15,000 (Removal, alteration, or defacement of identification number for unlawful purpose — A person who removes, defaces, alters, changes, destroys, covers or obliterates any trademark, distinguishing or identification number, serial number or mark on or from any motor vehicle for an unlawful purpose.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued over $500 — Unlawful possession of a motor vehicle or parts with removed/altered identification numbers where the value exceeds $500.00 and no timely statement was filed.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $15,000 (Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued over $500 — Unlawful possession of a motor vehicle or parts with removed/altered identification numbers where the value exceeds $500.00 and no timely statement was filed.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued $200-$500 — Unlawful possession of a motor vehicle or parts with removed/altered identification numbers where the value is between $200.00 and $500.00 and no timely statement was filed.; 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 (Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued $200-$500 — Unlawful possession of a motor vehicle or parts with removed/altered identification numbers where the value is between $200.00 and $500.00 and no timely statement was filed.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued under $200 — Unlawful possession of a motor vehicle or parts with removed/altered identification numbers where the value is less than $200.00 and no timely statement was filed.; 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 (Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued under $200 — Unlawful possession of a motor vehicle or parts with removed/altered identification numbers where the value is less than $200.00 and no timely statement was filed.) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
Applies to current.
How is motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty classified in New Jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removal, alteration, or defacement of identification number for unlawful purpose | Crime of the Third Degree | A person who removes, defaces, alters, changes, destroys, covers or obliterates any trademark, distinguishing or identification number, serial number or mark on or from any motor vehicle for an unlawful purpose. | N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6undefined |
| Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued over $500 | Crime of the Third Degree | Unlawful possession of a motor vehicle or parts with removed/altered identification numbers where the value exceeds $500.00 and no timely statement was filed. | N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6undefined |
| Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued $200-$500 | Crime of the Fourth Degree | Unlawful possession of a motor vehicle or parts with removed/altered identification numbers where the value is between $200.00 and $500.00 and no timely statement was filed. | N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6undefined |
| Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued under $200 | Disorderly Persons Offense | Unlawful possession of a motor vehicle or parts with removed/altered identification numbers where the value is less than $200.00 and no timely statement was filed. | N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6undefined |
Common questions about motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty in New Jersey
What degree of offense is motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty ranges from a Disorderly Persons Offense to a Crime of the Third Degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6.
Removal, alteration, or defacement of identification number for unlawful purpose: Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6) · Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued over $500: Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6) · Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued $200-$500: Crime of the Fourth Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6) · Possession of altered-ID motor vehicle/parts valued under $200: Disorderly Persons Offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6)
What are the penalties for motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty in New Jersey?
Penalties for motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a Disorderly Persons Offense up to a Crime of the Third Degree — with the ranges set by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 and N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which New Jersey statute covers motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty?
Motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6 (Motor vehicles; removal or alteration of identification number or mark; possession; penalty).
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.