Somerset County Theft Lawyers

What Are the Differences Between Theft and Robbery

While theft and robbery charges involve taking property that does not belong to you, these criminal charges in New Jersey are very different. Theft charges are filed on various levels, ranging from theft as a disorderly persons offense, which involves the theft of property worth less than $200, to theft as a crime in the fourth degree for theft of property valued from $200 to $500. Theft as a crime of the third degree involves property or services worth more than $500 but less than $75,000; theft of the second degree requires property valued at more than $75,000. Of course, the higher the property’s value, the harsher the punishment and fines.

Theft is elevated to robbery if the event inflicts injury on another, threatens another with bodily injury or harm, or threatens the immediate commission of a crime in the first or second degree. Timing plays a role in whether the robbery charge is warranted. If the robbery charge is based on theft while using force, the intent to commit the robbery has to happen before or during the use of force. The term “bodily injury” can be used loosely as New Jersey law does not put strict limits on the term.