New Jersey State Legislature Passes Bill Imposing Penalties For Criminal Impersonation on Internet
Recently, New Jersey state legislature passed a bill, which sought to amend an earlier law to impose criminal penalties for criminal impersonation through any means including electronic communications or Internet website. The bill was not opposed by any member of the legislature. The new bill has been now referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill was sponsored by legislators Craig J. Coughlin, Annette Quijano and Jon M. Bramnick and co-sponsored by legislators John S. Wisniewski and Pamela R. Lampitt.
If the offence results in benefit to the perpetrator or loss to a legitimate party of an amount less than $500 and affects one victim, than the offence would be treated as a fourth degree crime. However, further convictions would constitute a third degree crime. An offense, which involves at least $500, but less than $75,000 or involves identity theft of at least two, but less than five people, would constitute a third degree crime. If the amount involved is $75,000 or more or affects the identity of five or more people, than the offense would be treated as second degree crime. If the identity theft does …