Motor Vehicle Removal Or Alteration Of VIN

People who alter or remove the identifying marks on motor vehicles for an unlawful purpose are committing a crime in New Jersey.

But under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6(b), Motor Vehicles; Removal or Alteration of Identification Number or Mark, people who knowingly possess such vehicles, or parts from them, for an unlawful purpose are also committing a crime.

If your goal is to offload stolen property and you’re trafficking in auto parts, 2C:17-6(b) might apply to you.

Penalties for conviction can be quite serious.

Technically, the charge is graded according to the value of the goods, but the state has chosen to set the amounts at such a low level that it’s very easy to end up facing a third degree felony charge.

In fact, if you are found to be in possession of an altered vehicle or automotive parts from one that have a value greater than $500, you can go to prison for three to five years, and face fines of up to $15,000.

If the property in question is valued at less than $500 but more than $200, you’ll still face a felony charge, but one of the fourth degree.

Penalties for conviction of removing or altering a vehicle identification number include a prison sentence of up to 18 months and fines of up to $10,000.

For property valued at less than $200, you’ll be charged with a disorderly persons offense, comparable to a misdemeanor in other states, and you may spend up to six months in jail and pay $1,000 in fines.

The best outcome is not being convicted, and the best way to try to achieve that is to work with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.

Matthew Reisig has protected people’s rights and liberty in New Jersey for nearly 20 years. Call 732-625-9661 today for a free consultation.

Third degree offenses are quite serious in New Jersey. Are you at risk of receiving penalties for altering VIN number?

Not only are they indictable offenses (comparable to felony-level offenses in other states), they carry the risk of a lengthy prison sentence and hefty fines.

Still, if you’ve been charged under something like N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6(a), Motor Vehicles; Removal or Alteration of Identification Number or Mark, there is some reason to hope.

While the penalties for conviction under 2C:17-6(a) include a prison sentence of three to five years and fines of up to $15,000, third degree crimes in New Jersey carry a presumption of non-incarceration for many offenders.

That means that if your record is pretty clean, it’s likely that even if you’re convicted of altering or removing a motor vehicle identification, you’re unlikely to serve hard time.

When you work with an experienced defense lawyer, it’s possible that even more favorable outcomes will become possible.

Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.

The statute that covers the removal or altering a vehicle identification number may be charged at different levels. This is based on the particular circumstances of the case. Many NJ laws are charged at different levels.

Under the statute Motor Vehicles; Removal or Alteration of Identification Number of Mark (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-6(a)), you can be charged with a third degree crime. This is a felony level offense, for the following conduct:

• 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, is guilty of a crime of the third degree.

The types of scenarios may include something like selling a car that has previously been in an accident.

Someone may also try to sell a vehicle that was damaged in a flood.

Perhaps the seller wants to prevent potential buyers from discovering the vehicle’s history.

By removing or altering a vehicle identification number or marks, the vehicle’s history can be obscured. This means that fraud can be suspected against a potential buyer.

Car theft rings may also employ these techniques to hide the provenance of a stolen vehicle or parts from one.

Criminal Defense Attorney For Removal Or Altering A Vehicle Identification Number In New Jersey

As a third degree crime, your potential penalties for removing or altering a VIN number are serious.

You may face a prison sentence of three to five years. Someone found guilty could also receive fines of up to $15,000.

You may also be required to pay restitution. Someone could also face civil litigation if the conduct in question was part of a scheme to defraud others.

You’re in a very dangerous situation that can impact the rest of your life. Get experienced help.

Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with a New Jersey criminal defense attorney.