- posted: Mar. 10, 2026
Changing times and habits trigger revisions to the criminal laws that govern society. In some cases, tolerance grows for certain type of conduct that was once considered illegal and specific offenses are downgraded or eliminated completely. Alternatively, increased attention on a particular crime could lead to harsher penalties.
With more households relying on home delivery services rather than purchases at brick-and-mortar stores, many items are left on doorsteps and porches for hours at a time. This has led to a wave of stories about “porch pirates” who steal packages left by Amazon, FedEx, UPS and other delivery companies. Frequently, these thefts are caught on video by doorbell cameras.
Like any other type of stealing, porch piracy is against the law, but New Jersey lawmakers have now introduced a bill to establish residential package theft as a distinct offense. Under the current statutory framework, the level of a theft charge is based on the value of what was allegedly taken. For example, the lowest theft count is a disorderly persons offense covering cases involving items valued at $200 or less. A conviction would carry a possible jail sentence of six months and fine of up to $1,000.
The proposed legislation would make stealing anything from a porch or entry area at least a third-degree indictable crime. This means that even when only a box of diapers is stolen from a doorstep, the punishment could wind up being a prison term of between three and five years and a maximum $15,000 fine. Though it seems unlikely that merchandise of this amount would be dropped off at someone’s door, residential package theft would be a second-degree crime in cases where the value at issue exceeds $75,000. In addition to any other disposition, courts may impose a fine up to $250,000 or five times the retail value of the package contents seized at arrest—whichever is greater.
Concerns about the invasive nature of porch piracy has also led some members of Congress to draft a bill that would create a special category of theft crime for these cases. Sponsors of the bipartisan bill include two House members from New Jersey.
The Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell in New Brunswick represents clients accused of theft and other offenses in Central Jersey and the rest of the state. If you have been charged with a crime, please call 908-768-3837 or contact me online for a free consultation.
- posted: Mar. 10, 2026
Changing times and habits trigger revisions to the criminal laws that govern society. In some cases, tolerance grows for certain type of conduct that was once considered illegal and specific offenses are downgraded or eliminated completely. Alternatively, increased attention on a particular crime could lead to harsher penalties.
With more households relying on home delivery services rather than purchases at brick-and-mortar stores, many items are left on doorsteps and porches for hours at a time. This has led to a wave of stories about “porch pirates” who steal packages left by Amazon, FedEx, UPS and other delivery companies. Frequently, these thefts are caught on video by doorbell cameras.
Like any other type of stealing, porch piracy is against the law, but New Jersey lawmakers have now introduced a bill to establish residential package theft as a distinct offense. Under the current statutory framework, the level of a theft charge is based on the value of what was allegedly taken. For example, the lowest theft count is a disorderly persons offense covering cases involving items valued at $200 or less. A conviction would carry a possible jail sentence of six months and fine of up to $1,000.
The proposed legislation would make stealing anything from a porch or entry area at least a third-degree indictable crime. This means that even when only a box of diapers is stolen from a doorstep, the punishment could wind up being a prison term of between three and five years and a maximum $15,000 fine. Though it seems unlikely that merchandise of this amount would be dropped off at someone’s door, residential package theft would be a second-degree crime in cases where the value at issue exceeds $75,000. In addition to any other disposition, courts may impose a fine up to $250,000 or five times the retail value of the package contents seized at arrest—whichever is greater.
Concerns about the invasive nature of porch piracy has also led some members of Congress to draft a bill that would create a special category of theft crime for these cases. Sponsors of the bipartisan bill include two House members from New Jersey.
The Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell in New Brunswick represents clients accused of theft and other offenses in Central Jersey and the rest of the state. If you have been charged with a crime, please call 908-768-3837 or contact me online for a free consultation.
