The Theft Ladder
N.J.S.A. 2C:20-2 — under $200 a disorderly persons offense, and a crime from $200 up
In New Jersey, theft is unlawfully taking, or exercising unlawful control over, another's movable property with purpose to deprive them of it.
| Amount involved | Grade |
|---|---|
| Amount involvedLess than $200 | GradeDisorderly persons offense |
| Amount involvedAt least $200 but not over $500 | GradeCrime of the fourth degree |
| Amount involvedOver $500 but less than $75,000, or taken from the person | GradeCrime of the third degree |
| Amount involved$75,000 or more, or by extortion | GradeCrime of the second degree |
Shoplifting, which includes taking or concealing merchandise, switching price tags or containers, and taking a shopping cart, is graded by the full retail value on the same lines, and values from one scheme may be added together.
Community service on every shoplifting conviction. A person convicted of shoplifting also performs community service: at least ten days for a first offense, at least 15 days for a second, and up to 25 days for a third or later.
Sources for this section (3)
- N.J.S.A. 2C:20-2 — Consolidation and grading of theft offenses
- N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3 — Theft by unlawful taking
- N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11 — Shoplifting
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New Jersey attorney.