Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH A. LAGANA
District 38 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Concerns keyless locking mechanisms and burglars tools.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning burglars tools and keyless locking mechanisms and amending N.J.S.2C:5-5.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.2C:5-5 is amended to read as follows:
2C:5-5. Burglar's Tools.
a. Any person who manufactures or possesses any engine, machine, tool, [or] implement, or program adapted, designed or commonly used for committing or facilitating any offense in chapter 20 of this Title or offenses involving forcible entry into premises[.]
(1) Knowing the same to be so adapted or designed or commonly used; and
(2) With either a purpose so to use or employ it, or with a purpose to provide it to some person who he knows has such a purpose to use or employ it, is guilty of an offense.
An engine, machine, tool, implement, or program manufactured or possessed in violation of this section shall include such which may provide access to a premises through a keyless locking mechanism.
b. Any person who publishes plans or instructions dealing with the manufacture or use of any burglar tools as defined above, with the intent that such publication be used for committing or facilitating any offense in chapter 20 of this Title or offenses involving forcible entry into premises is guilty of an offense.
The offense under a. or b. of this section is a crime of the fourth degree if the defendant manufactured such instrument or implements or published such plans or instructions; otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense.
(cf: P.L.1992, c.198, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately
STATEMENT
This bill expands the definition of burglars tool to include that which may be considered an engine, machine, tool or implement.
Under the bill, an engine, machine, tool, implement, or program manufactured or possessed in violation of N.J.S.2C:5-5 includes such which may provide access to a premises through a keyless locking mechanism.
Under the bill, it is a crime of the fourth degree if the person manufactured such instrument or implements or published such plans or instructions for tools which may provide access to a premises through a keyless locking mechanism. If the person merely possesses an instrument in violation of the statute, then it is a disorderly persons offense.
A fourth degree crime is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.