In the realm of criminal justice, an attempt to commit a crime can sometimes carry penalties like the crime itself. The law treats attempts seriously and you may indeed face jail time for an attempted crime.
New Jersey law has specific provisions regarding criminal attempts. You need to understand these provisions and their potential implications if you are in a situation where they could apply.
Understanding criminal attempt
Under New Jersey law, a criminal attempt occurs when someone intends to commit a crime and takes a significant step toward it, even though the final outcome may not be as the person expected.
Penalties for criminal attempts
Penalties for criminal attempts in New Jersey depend on the severity of the crime you attempted. If you attempt a first-degree crime, you may face second-degree penalties for the attempt. This includes prison time of 5 to 10 years and fines of up to $150,000.
If you attempt a second-degree crime, you could face third-degree penalties, including 3 to 5 years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
Attempt versus completed crime
You might wonder why the law would punish an attempt like they would a completed crime. The rationale is that the intent and the actions taken to commit a crime are just as serious as the crime itself. By punishing attempts, the law seeks to deter people from even trying to commit crimes.
The law takes criminal attempts seriously, and the penalties can be severe for attempting to commit a crime in New Jersey, including possible jail time. The best way to avoid such penalties is to avoid engaging in criminal activities.
