New Jersey Statutes 2C:5-6. Motor vehicle master keys
Attorney's Note
Under the New Jersey Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| crime of the fourth degree | up to 18 months | up to $10,000 |
Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 2C:5-6
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- person: includes corporations, companies, associations, societies, firms, partnerships and joint stock companies as well as individuals, unless restricted by the context to an individual as distinguished from a corporate entity or specifically restricted to one or some of the above enumerated synonyms and, when used to designate the owner of property which may be the subject of an offense, includes this State, the United States, any other State of the United States as defined infra and any foreign country or government lawfully owning or possessing property within this State. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
- State: extends to and includes any State, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia and the Canal Zone. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
(1) knowingly possesses a motor vehicle master key or device designed to operate a lock or locks on motor vehicles or to start a motor vehicle without an ignition key or key fob;
(2) for an unlawful purpose, knowingly possesses a key fob that operates a lock or locks on or starts a motor vehicle owned by another person; or
(3) for an unlawful purpose, knowingly possesses a computer program, application, software, or other device adapted, designed, or commonly used to operate a lock or locks on or start a motor vehicle without an ignition key or key fob, or to copy, store information relating to, or interfere with those functions.
b. A person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree if the person:
(1) offers or advertises for sale, sells or gives to any person other than those excepted in subsection c. of this section a motor vehicle master key or device designed to operate a lock or locks on a motor vehicle or to start a motor vehicle without an ignition key or key fob, or who otherwise causes any such item to enter into commerce in this State;
(2) offers or advertises for sale, sells, or gives to any person a computer program, application, software, or other device adapted, designed, or commonly used to operate a lock or locks on or start a motor vehicle without an ignition key or key fob, or to copy, store information relating to, or interfere with those functions, or who otherwise causes any such item to enter into commerce in this State:
(i) knowing the item to be adapted, designed, or commonly used for those purposes; and
(ii) with a purpose to provide the item to a person the actor knows or reasonably should know has the purpose to use or employ the item unlawfully.
c. Paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section shall not apply to use or employment for a lawful purpose by a law enforcement officer; locksmith; dealer; distributor or manufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle locks; a garage keeper; an insurance support organization as defined in section 2 of P.L.1985, c. 179, (C. 17:23A-2); or a person or the employee or agent of a person engaged in the business of lending on the security of motor vehicles or acquiring by purchase evidence of debt secured by interests in motor vehicles.
L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:5-6, eff. Sept. 1, 1979; amended 2023, c.100; 2023, c.250, s.11.