Credit card fraud, also known as the fraudulent use of a credit card, is classified as a third degree felony offense in New Jersey.

Although there is a presumption of non-incarceration for first-time offenders associated with third degree crimes under NJ Law, defendants who have an existing criminal record can be sentenced to serve between three (3) and five (5) years in New Jersey State Prison upon conviction.

If you have been charged with credit card fraud in New Jersey, you may also be charged with credit card theft, which is another indictable criminal offense that can be considered a third or fourth degree crime. The State considers the act of simply having a stolen credit card in your possession as the probable cause necessary to charge you with credit card theft. As a result, if you are believed to have fraudulently used a credit card, you can easily be prosecuted for allegedly stealing the card as well.

Regardless of the number of crimes for which you are accused, a charge for credit card fraud can have devastating effects on your reputation and impact the rest of your life. Further, a felony conviction on your criminal record may impede your efforts when applying for a job or attempting to adopt a child, and can even spell negative implications for your immigration status if you are not a U.S. citizen.

The criminal defense lawyers at The Tormey Law Firm have the experience and dedication necessary to serve as your advocates in the legal system. Their extensive knowledge of the law and specifically-formulated strategies for fighting credit card fraud charges allow them to successfully defend clients in courts throughout New Jersey.

Call The Tormey Law Firm anytime at (201)-556-1570 for a free consultation with one of the firm’s skilled criminal defense attorneys. They are happy to discuss your case, answer your pressing questions, and if you choose to obtain further services, you can move forward with confidence and a dedicated defender on your side.

Credit Card Fraud Charges in NJ: A Third Degree Crime

New Jersey Law outlines offenses involving the Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card in N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6h of the Criminal Code. N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6h sets forth:

A person who knowingly uses any counterfeit, fictitious, altered, forged, lost, stolen or fraudulently obtained credit card to obtain money, goods or services, or anything else of value; or who, with unlawful or fraudulent intent, furnishes, acquires, or uses any actual or fictitious credit card, whether alone or together with names of credit cardholders, or other information pertaining to a credit card account in any form, is guilty of a crime of the third degree.