State v. Rama

The opinion of the court was delivered by

D’ANNUNZIO, J.A.D.

The issue is whether N.J.S.A. 2C:20-2.1) (section 2.1) mandates the suspension of defendant’s driving privileges upon conviction of automobile theft, or whether the statute merely authorizes a court to impose that sanction in its sentencing discretion.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, defendant pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, a 1994 Lexus automobile, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7. The court sentenced defendant to three years of probation, suspension of his driver’s license for one year, a $500 penalty, restitution, and…