Auto Theft Defense Lawyer in New Jersey

Direct Attorney Handling for Every Auto Theft Case Statewide

A motor vehicle theft charge in New Jersey carries serious consequences: years in prison, steep fines, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. At Roberts & Teeter, LLC, attorneys Michael Brett Roberts and Matthew Teeter handle auto theft defense directly, building each case around the specific evidentiary questions that decide outcomes: who owned the vehicle, whether identification was reliable, and what the accused actually intended. We’re a boutique criminal defense firm, and we don’t delegate client matters to paralegals or associates.

Facing auto theft or a related motor vehicle offense in New Jersey? Contact Roberts & Teeter, LLC for a free consultation. Call (732) 607-5553 or reach us through our contact form.

How New Jersey Grades Auto Theft Charges

New Jersey treats theft of a motor vehicle as a graded offense: the degree of the crime turns on the vehicle’s value and the nature of the taking. The exposure changes significantly from one degree to the next, so understanding which grade applies is the first step in assessing what’s at stake.

• Second-Degree Theft: Applies when the stolen vehicle is worth $75,000 or more, or when the theft involved more than one motor vehicle. Carries 5 to 10 years in state prison and fines up to $150,000.
• Third-Degree Theft: Applies whenever the vehicle’s value is less than $75,000, with no minimum value threshold. Carries 3 to 5 years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
• Fourth-Degree Theft (Unlawful Taking): Unlike the higher degrees, the prosecutor doesn’t need to prove intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle. Carries up to 18 months in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Beyond the standard penalties, every conviction triggers additional statutory fines: $500 and up to a one-year license suspension for a first offense, $750 and up to two years for a second, and $1,000 and up to 10 years for a third or subsequent offense. If the stolen vehicle and its contents exceeded $7,500 in value and the vehicle wasn’t recovered, a court may also order restitution beyond the standard third-degree cap.

Related Charges New Jersey Prosecutors Pursue

Prosecutors don’t always charge auto theft alone. Depending on the circumstances, they may file one or more related offenses, each carrying its own penalties and defenses.

Joyriding (Unlawful Taking of a Means of Conveyance)
Taking or operating a vehicle with intent to temporarily rather than permanently withhold it is still a fourth-degree crime, carrying up to 18 months in prison. If the handling of the vehicle risked injury or property damage, the charge elevates to third degree.

Receiving Stolen Property
Knowingly receiving or bringing into New Jersey a motor vehicle that belongs to someone else and that a person knows or believes to be stolen is a separate offense. Possession of a stolen vehicle under certain circumstances, such as lacking proper documentation of ownership, can support an inference that the possessor knew it was stolen.

Carjacking
When a taking involves inflicting bodily injury, threatening harm, or forcing the victim to operate the vehicle, the charge becomes carjacking: a first-degree-plus crime carrying 10 to 30 years in prison with a mandatory minimum of five years before parole eligibility.

Leading an Auto Theft Trafficking Network
Conspiring with others to unlawfully take, distribute, or transport stolen vehicles for profit is a second-degree crime under New Jersey law, separate from the underlying theft offenses.

Building a Defense to an Auto Theft Charge

New Jersey theft law recognizes affirmative defenses. A defendant may be able to challenge the charge by showing they were unaware the property belonged to another person, or that they acted under an honest claim of right to the vehicle. Whether either defense is viable depends entirely on the specific facts, which is why our case evaluation starts with a thorough review of how the state intends to prove ownership, identification, and intent.

Michael Roberts and Matthew Teeter work with a network of outside professionals, including private investigators and psychologists, to test the strength of the prosecution’s evidence before trial. Depending on what that review reveals, it may be possible to pursue reduced charges, explore a diversionary program, or develop arguments that can give a jury reason to doubt the state’s case. We won’t promise a particular result, but we build the strongest defense the facts support.

Why New Jersey Defendants Work with Roberts & Teeter, LLC

Criminal defense is the only work we do. That focus means Michael Roberts and Matthew Teeter maintain a current, working knowledge of New Jersey criminal law and procedure rather than splitting attention across practice areas. We personally handle each case without delegating to paralegals or associates, and we keep clients informed at every stage. You won’t be passed off to someone unfamiliar with your file.

Our attorneys regularly appear in Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick and in municipal courts across the state, including on matters investigated by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and local police departments.

Schedule a Free Consultation About Your Auto Theft Case

Auto theft, joyriding, carjacking, and related motor vehicle charges can affect your license, your livelihood, and your record for years. The earlier you have an attorney reviewing the evidence, the more options may be available. We offer free consultations and affordable representation for criminal defense matters throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 607-5553 or contact us through our website to schedule yours.