MANUFACTURING OF BURGLARS TOOLS - In NJ

MANUFACTURING OF BURGLARS TOOLS -  In NJ (N.J.S.A.2C:5-5a) [Countof] [T]he indictment charges defendant with manufacturing of burglars tools.That section of our statutes provides that: Any person who manufacturers . . . any engine, machine, tool or implement adapted, designed, or commonly used for committing or facilitating the offense of,[1]knowing the same to be so adapted, designed, or commonly used, [with the purpose to use or employ it] [OR with a purpose to provide it to some person whom he knows has such a purpose to use or employ it], is guilty of an offense. In order for defendant to be found guilty of this offense, the State must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.that the defendant manufactured an engine, machine, tool or implement adapted, designed, or commonly used for committing or facilitating the offense of; 2.thathe/sheknew the engine, machine, tool or implement was adapted or designed or commonly used for committing or facilitating that offense; and 3.thathis/herpurpose was [to use or employ it] [OR to provide it to some other person whomhe/sheknew had the purpose to use or employ it] to commit or facilitate that offense.[2] The first element that the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt is that defendant manufactured an engine, machine, tool or implement adapted, designed, or commonly used for committing or facilitating the offense of, in this case [identity by name, type, or exhibit number]. The engine, machine, tool or implement that defendant is charged with manufacturing must be specially or specifically designed or adapted or commonly used for commission or facilitation of this offense and not merely be something designed or adapted or commonly used for some other purpose that can be or is used for committing or facilitating this offense.[3] The elements of the offense ofare[see appropriate Model Jury Charge] OR [I have already defined for you (OR I will define for you)the elements of the offense ofin the instructions regarding count _____ of the indictment]. The second element that the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt is that defendant knew that the engine, machine, tool, or implement was designed, adapted, or commonly used for committing or facilitating the offense of.A person acts knowingly with respect to the nature ofhis/herconduct or the attendant circumstances ifhe/sheis aware thathis/herconduct is of that nature, or that such circumstances exist, orhe/sheis aware of a high probability of their existence.A person acts knowingly with respect to a result of his conduct ifhe/sheis aware that it is practically certain thathis/herconduct will cause such a result. The third element that the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt is that defendants purpose was to use or employ the engine, machine, tool or implement [OR to provide the engine, machine, tool or implement to another whomhe/sheknows has the purpose to use or employ it] for committing or facilitating the offense of.A person acts purposely with respect to the nature ofhis/herconduct or a result thereof if it ishis/herconscious object to engage in conduct of that nature or to cause such a result.A person acts purposely with respect to attendant circumstances ifhe/sheis aware of the existence of such circumstances orhe/shebelieves or hopes that they exit. [IF DEFENDANT IS ACCUSED OF PROVIDING IMPLEMENT TO ANOTHER: I have already defined the term knowing for you]. Purpose and knowledge are conditions of the mind that cannot be seen and that can be determined only by inferences from conduct, words or acts.A state of mind is rarely susceptible of direct proof but must ordinarily be inferred from the facts.Therefore, it is not necessary that the State produce witnesses to testify that an accused said thathe/shehad a certain state of mind whenhe/sheengaged in a particular act.It is within your power to find that such proof has been furnished beyond a reasonable doubt by inference, which may arise from the nature of defendants acts and conduct, from all thathe/shesaid and did at the particular time and place, and from all surrounding circumstances. If the State has failed to prove each element of this offense beyond a reasonable doubt, then you must find the defendant not guilty.If the State has proven each element of this offense beyond a reasonable doubt, then you must find defendant guilty. CHARGE IF APPROPRIATE: POSSESSION OF BURGLARS TOOLS(lesser included offense) As part ofhis/herdenial of guilt to the charge of manufacturing burglars tools, defendant asserts thathe/shedid not manufacture, but merely possessed it without having any role or part in its manufacture.It is the States burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant manufactured rather than merely possessed the engine, machine, tool or implement. The word possess as used in criminal statutes signifies a knowing, intentional control of a designated thing, accompanied by a knowledge of its character. Thus, the person must know or be aware thathe/shepossesses the item (in this case), andhe/shemust know what it is thathe/shepossesses or controls (that it is (they are) burglars tool(s)). [Where applicable charge the following:this possession cannot merely be a passing control that is fleeting or uncertain in its nature].In other words, to possess within the meaning of the law, the defendant must knowingly procure or receive the item possessed or be aware ofhis/hercontrol thereof for a sufficient period of time to have been able to relinquishhis/hercontrol ifhe/shechose to do so.(Define knowingN.J.S.A.2C:2-2 and any other definition relevant to the item allegedly possessed). A person may possess(an item) even though it was not physically onhis/herperson at the time of the arrest, ifhe/shehad in fact, at some time prior tohis/herarrest, had control over it. When we speak of possession, we mean a conscious, knowing possession.The law recognizes two kinds of possession:they are actual possession and constructive possession. ACTUAL POSSESSION A person is in actual possession of a particular article or thing whenhe/sheknows what it is: that is,he/shehas knowledge of its character and knowingly has it onhis/herperson at a given time. CONSTRUCTIVE POSSESSION The law recognizes that possession may be constructive instead of actual. Constructive possession means possession in which the person does not physically have the property, but though not physically on ones person,he/sheis aware of the presence of the property and is able to and has the intention to exercise control over it. A person who, although not in actual possession, has knowledge of its character, knowingly has both the power and the intention at a given time to exercise control over a thing, either directly or through another person or persons, is then in constructive possession of it. JOINT POSSESSION The law recognizes that possession may be sole or joint.If one person alone has actual or constructive possession of a thing, possession is sole.If two or more persons share actual or constructive possession of a thing, possession is joint; that is, if they knowingly share control over the article. If the State has failed to prove each element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, then you must find the defendant not guilty.If the State has proven each element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, then you must find defendant guilty of manufacturing burglars tools.If the State has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant manufactured rather than possessed the engine, machine, tool or implement, but has proven all of the other elements beyond a reasonable doubt, then you must find the defendant guilty of possession of burglars tools. [1]Specify here, and at every other relevant point in the charge, the offense in chapter 20 of this Title or offenses involving forcible entry into premises that defendant is charged with manufacturing the burglars tool adapted, designed, or commonly used for committing or facilitating. [2]State v. Gertrude, 309N.J. Super.354, 358 (App. Div. 1998). [3]SeeCannel,Criminal Code Annotated, Comments 2.(second paragraph) and 4. toN.J.S.A.2C:5-5 ([T]he linkage of the manufacture of implements with the publishing of plans suggests that the higher penalty was intended for those persons who produce a specialized implement.Such persons pose a greater danger to the public).

Consequences of a Criminal Guilty Plea 1. You will have to appear in open court and tell the judge what you did that makes you guilty of the particular offense(s) 2. Do you understand that if you plead guilty: a. You will have a criminal record b. You may go to Jail or Prison. c. You will have to pay Fines and Court Costs. 3. If you are on Probation, you will have to submit to random drug and urine testing. If you violate Probation, you often go to jail. 4. In indictable matters, you will be required to provide a DNA sample, which could be used by law enforcement for the investigation of criminal activity, and pay for the cost of testing. 5. You must pay restitution if the court finds there is a victim who has suffered a loss and if the court finds that you are able or will be able in the future to pay restitution. 6. If you are a public office holder or employee, you can be required to forfeit your office or job by virtue of your plea of guilty. 7. If you are not a United States citizen or national, you may be deported by virtue of your plea of guilty. 8. You must wait 5-10 years to expunge a first offense. 2C:52-3 9. You could be put on Probation. 10. In Drug Cases, a mandatory DEDR penalty of $500-$1,000, and lose your drivers license for 6 months - 2 years. You must pay a Law Enforcement Officers Training and Equipment Fund penalty of $30. 11. You may be required to do Community Service. 12. You must pay a minimum Violent Crimes Compensation Board assessment of $50 ($100 minimum if you are convicted of a crime of violence) for each count to which you plead guilty. 13. You must pay a $75 Safe Neighborhood Services Fund assessment for each conviction. 14. If you are being sentenced to probation, you must pay a fee of up to $25 per month for the term of probation. 15. You lose the presumption against incarceration in future cases. 2C:44-1 16. You may lose your right to vote. The defense of a person charged with a criminal offense is not impossible. There are a number of viable defenses and arguments which can be pursued to achieve a successful result. Advocacy, commitment, and persistence are essential to defending a client accused of a criminal offense. Jail for Crimes and Disorderly Conduct: If someone pleads Guilty or is found Guilty of a criminal offense, the following is the statutory Prison/Jail terms. NJSA 2C: 43-8 (1) In the case of a crime of the first degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between 10 years and 20 years; (2) In the case of a crime of the second degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between five years and 10 years; (3) In the case of a crime of the third degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between three years and five years; (4) In the case of a crime of the fourth degree, for a specific term which shall be fixed by the court and shall not exceed 18 months. 2C:43-3 Fines have been increased recently! 2C:43-3. Fines and Restitutions. A person who has been convicted of an offense may be sentenced to pay a fine, to make restitution, or both, such fine not to exceed: a. (1) $200,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the first degree; (2) $150,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the second degree; b. (1) $15,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the third degree; (2) $10,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the fourth degree; c. $1,000.00, when the conviction is of a disorderly persons offense; d. $500.00, when the conviction is of a petty disorderly persons offense; If facing any criminal charge, retain an experienced attorney immediately to determine you rights and obligations to the court. Current criminal charge researched by Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. 732-572-0500