New Jersey Statutes 38A:14-5. New Jersey Stolen Valor Act
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 second degree | between 5 and 10 years | up to $150,000 |
| crime of the third degree | between 3 and 5 years | up to $15,000 |
| crime of the fourth degree | up to 18 months | up to $10,000 |
Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 38A:14-5
- 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
Any person who knowingly, with intent to impersonate and with intent to deceive for the purpose of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit, misrepresents oneself as a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces or organized militia by wearing the uniform or any medal or insignia authorized for use by the members or veterans of the United States Armed Forces or the organized militia, by federal and State laws and regulations, shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree, subject to a minimum fine of $1,000, if the actor obtains money, property or other tangible benefit in an amount less than $75,000; or a crime of the second degree, if the actor obtains money, property or other tangible benefit in the amount of $75,000 or more.
Any person who knowingly, with intent to deceive for the purpose of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit, holds oneself out to be a recipient of any decoration or medal created by federal and State laws and regulations to honor the members or veterans of the United States Armed Forces or the organized militia shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree, subject to a minimum fine of $1,000, if the actor obtains money, property or other tangible benefit in the amount less than $75,000; or a crime of the second degree, if the actor obtains money, property or other tangible benefit in the amount of $75,000 or more.
Any monies collected pursuant to this section shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer, and shall be deposited into the Military Dependents Scholarship Fund, as established pursuant to P.L.2015, c.117 (C. 18A:71B-98 et seq.), in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
amended 2007, c.148; 2015, c.118; 2021, c.435.