New Jersey Theft

Criminal Defense Attorney

A conviction for Theft of a Credit Card can have serious consequences, including jail or prison time.  It can also impact employment, housing, finances, education, reputation, and relationships.  Because of this, it is crucial to have an experienced, skilled, and aggressive attorney by your side. 

Ms. Denholtz is a fierce criminal defense trial attorney with over a decade of experience.  Ms. Denholtz offers relentless advocacy, strategic defense, and exceptional service to clients accused of Theft Offenses throughout New Jersey.  At Denholtz Criminal Defense, you can trust that your case will receive the meticulous attention and tireless advocacy it deserves.  If you or a loved one are facing Theft charges, Ms. Denholtz is ready to fight for you. Contact Denholtz Criminal Defense today for your FREE consultation: (862) 842-0811 or Tracy@DenholtzCriminalDefense.com.

Theft of a Credit Card

(N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6)

Credit Card Theft:  Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c), credit card theft occurs where:

Takes CC Without Consent With Intent to Use or Sell:  Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c)(1), a person who takes or obtains a credit card from the person, possession, custody, or control of another without the cardholder's consent or who, with knowledge that it has been so taken, receives the credit card with intent to use it or to sell it, or to transfer it to a person other than the issuer or the cardholder is guilty of credit card theft. Taking a credit card without consent includes obtaining it by any conduct defined and prescribed in Chapter 20 of this title, Theft and Related Offenses.

• Presumption of CC Theft:  A person who has in his possession or under his control (a) credit cards issued in the names of two or more other persons or, (b) two or more stolen credit cards is presumed to have violated this paragraph.

Finds or Receives a CC With Intent to Use or Sell:  Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c)(2), a person who receives a credit card that he knows to have been lost, mislaid, or delivered under a mistake as to the identity or address of the cardholder, and who retains possession with intent to use it or to sell it or to transfer it to a person other than the issuer or the cardholder is guilty of credit card theft.

Sells or Buys a Credit Card:  Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c)(3), a person other than the issuer who sells a credit card or a person who buys a credit card from a person other than the issuer is guilty of credit card theft.

Keeping Credit Card as Collateral:  Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c)(4), a person who, with intent to defraud the issuer, a person or organization providing money, goods, services or anything else of value, or any other person, obtains control over a credit card as security for debt is guilty of credit card theft.

Falsely Creates CC and Uses CC: Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c)(5), a person who, with intent to defraud a purported issuer, a person or organization providing money, goods, services or anything else of value, or any other person, falsely makes or falsely embosses a purported credit card or utters such a credit card is guilty of credit card theft.

• Presumption of Credit Card Theft:  A person other than the purported issuer who possesses two or more credit cards which are falsely made or falsely embossed is presumed to have violated this paragraph.

• Creating Fake Credit Cards:  A person "falsely makes" a credit card when he makes or draws, in whole or in part, a device or instrument which purports to be the credit card of a named issuer but which is not such a credit card because the issuer did not authorize the making or drawing, or alters a credit card which was validly issued. A person "falsely embosses" a credit card when, without the authorization of the named issuer, he completes a credit card by adding any of the matter, other than the signature of the cardholder, which an issuer requires to appear on the credit card before it can be used by a cardholder.

Signs Another Person’s Credit Card:  Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c)(6) A person other than the cardholder or a person authorized by him who, with intent to defraud the issuer, or a person or organization providing money, goods, services or anything else of value, or any other person, signs a credit card, is guilty of credit card theft.

• Presumption of Credit Card Theft:  A person who possesses two or more credit cards which are so signed is presumed to have violated this paragraph.

Grading of Credit Card Theft:

3rd Degree Offense:  Credit card theft under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c)(5),

4th Degree Offense:  Credit card theft under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c)(1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) is a crime in the 4th degree which is punishable by up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison. 

Contact a New Jersey Theft

Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, it is crucial to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.  At Denholtz Criminal Defense, we understand the stakes involved and are committed to providing you with skilled, aggressive, and personalized legal representation.  No matter what the allegations, Ms. Denholtz will provide an honest and detailed evaluation of your case, outline the best legal options available, and craft a defense strategy designed to achieve the best possible result for your unique situation.  Contact Denholtz Criminal Defense today for your free consultation: (862) 842-0811 or Tracy@DenholtzCriminalDefense.com.