In instances where a credit card, or credit cards, not issued to an individual are found in their possession, then Credit Card Theft (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6) in New Jersey will be charged as a Fourth Degree Crime, which carries a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison, a $10,000 fine, and various fees and assessments.
Fourth Degree Crimes are indictable offenses, meaning that you’ll have a felony conviction on your record.
If you are convicted of creating fake credit cards under the Credit Card Theft statute, you’ll be facing a far more significant Third Degree Crime penalty, with a prison sentence of 3-5 years and a $15,000 fine on the table.
In both cases you’ll have to deal with the ramifications of a felony record after your sentence is complete, so a number of jobs, housing situations, and public benefits will be unavailable to you.
An experienced New Jersey Credit Card Theft attorney can make a big difference in your case.
From alternative approaches to sentencing, to reduced charges, to fighting back when you’ve been incorrectly charged in a Credit Card Theft case, good legal representation can protect you from the worst that prosecutors will try to inflict on you.
Call attorney Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey credit card theft attorney.