New Jersey Law Cracks Down Hard on Chop Shops

A chop shop is an illegal business that dismantles stolen vehicles to sell their parts. New Jersey has a specific law, Section 2C:20-16, that targets the operation of chop shops. This law imposes strict penalties on anyone who knowingly operates a facility for remodeling, repainting or separating parts from stolen vehicles. But what exactly does the law say, and what are the implications for those caught running a chop shop? This article breaks it down.

The Specifics of Section 2C:20-16

Section 2C:20-16 states that it is illegal to “knowingly maintain[] or operate[] any premises, place or facility used for the remodeling, repainting, or separating of automobile parts for resale.” If convicted under this statute, penalties can be severe:

• Up to 10 years in prison
• Fines up to $150,000
• Possible additional fines and penalties under other laws

The key here is “knowingly.” Prosecutors have to prove that the defendant was aware that stolen vehicles or parts were being trafficked through their business. But once that knowledge is established, the law comes down hard. The possible prison sentence is longer than for basic theft crimes in New Jersey.

Fines are also steep — up to $150,000. And that’s not all. Violations of Section 2C:20-16 often involve other crimes too. Prosecutors can pile on charges like receiving stolen property, falsifying vehicle records, insurance fraud, etc. That quickly ratchets up penalties to eye-watering levels.

Why Such Harsh Punishments for Chop Shops?

Given the severity of potential penalties, Section 2C:20-16 seems to target chop shops for especially harsh treatment. But why?

First, chop shops fuel wider criminal networks. Auto theft is big business for organized crime rings. Cars or parts can be worth tens of thousands on the black market. Chop shops provide the infrastructure to process all these stolen vehicles and feed profits back to criminal organizations.

Second, prosecutors want to deter this lucrative enterprise. Stolen cars can be worth more chopped up for parts than as whole vehicles. Section 2C:20-16 aims to interrupt the calculations of those considering opening up a chop shop. Throwing the book at offenders is one way to discourage others.

Finally, chop shops have secondary public safety impacts. Stolen cars may get cloned and resold to unsuspecting buyers with bogus titles. Thieves might also swap out VIN plates to “rebirth” a stolen vehicle with a new identity. This can leave innocent new owners holding the bag when the original theft is discovered. These ripple effects disrupt vehicle ownership records critical for law enforcement.

Given the wide-ranging harms, it’s no wonder New Jersey law treats chop shops as a prime target.