Full question:
For the past several weeks my wife and I have been deluged with tons of junk mail -- all travel brochures. I'm fairly sure who is doing this and it's becoming a real torment. In desperation, I wrote to 2 of the convention & tourism bureaus in other states. However I led them to believe I was an attorney and that I needed the I.P. address of the computer where the original email (asking the bureau to send us a travel brochure) was sent. I told them specifically I didn't suspect them of any wrongdoing at all, and that I merely wanted the I.P. address if they could provide it. My worry is, could passing myself off as an attorney get me into big trouble? I wasn't trying to defraud or get money out of anyone -- just trying to track down our tormentor. My wife and I are in our 60's and in poor health.
- Category: Courts
- Subcategory: Attorneys
- Date:
- State: New Jersey
Answer:
Impersonating an attorney can result in serious legal consequences, including criminal charges for unauthorized practice of law. In New Jersey, the law states that a person is guilty of an offense if they impersonate someone else or assume a false identity to obtain a benefit or to harm another (N.J.S. 2C:21-17). This includes pretending to represent an organization for personal gain or to defraud someone. Depending on the circumstances, penalties can vary based on the value of the benefit obtained or the number of victims involved. Additionally, falsely claiming to hold a public service position can lead to a disorderly persons offense or a fourth-degree crime (N.J.S. 2C:28-8). Given these risks, it’s important to consider the potential legal implications of your actions.This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.