South River NJ Theft Attorney

Charged With Burglary, Writing a Bad Check, Theft by Deception, Theft of Services, Receiving Stolen Property or Another Theft Offense in the South River New Jersey

Our Former Middlesex County Prosecutors Stand Ready To Defend Your Theft Charge

South River is not unlike most other Middlesex County municipalities when it comes to theft offenses. The town has a range of charges of this nature annually, including robberytheft by deception, burglary, receiving stolen property, writing a bad check and shoplifting. If you have been charged with a theft offense, you need an attorney skilled in handling this variety of criminal charge.

The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has a team of accomplished lawyers to defend any theft charge you may be facing. We are former prosecutors, including those who have served in Middlesex County, that make up a team of eight defense attorneys with over 100 years of experience defending South River theft offenses. For a free consultation with a lawyer at the firm anytime 24/7, contact our East Brunswick Office at 732-227-1200.

Theft Offense in South River New Jersey

There is a long list of criminal charges that fall under the category of theft offenses that someone can face in South River New Jersey. The lawyers at our firm defend all of these cases, including:

  • Identity Theft
  • Theft of Services
  • Car Theft
  • Burglary
  • Shoplifting
  • Theft by Deception

  • Theft
  • Theft of Movable Property
  • Robbery
  • Receiving Stolen Property
  • Bad Checks
  • Credit Card Theft

Examples of Theft Offenses that Rise in South River. Let’s take two examples of theft offenses to provide a sense of the elements required to prove a theft offense. Theft by Unlawful Taking, which is probably the core theft offense under NJ Law, is set forth at N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3. The prosecutor must prove that:

  • The defendant knowingly took or unlawfully exercised control over movable property;
  • The movable property was property of another;
  • The defendant’s purpose was to deprive the other person of the movable property.

Another common South River theft offense is theft by deception under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4. To prove this charge, the prosecutor must prove that:

  • The defendant obtained property of another;
  • Through means of deception; and
  • The victim relied upon the deception in parting with the property.

Grading and Penalties for Theft Offenses. N.J.S.A. 2C:20-2 sets forth the grading (i.e., seriousness) of theft offenses in New Jersey. The offenses typically range from Second-degree crimes to Disorderly persons offenses. As you can see below, the seriousness of the theft offense typically is determined by the value of the item that was stolen:

Degree of Offense Value of Property Stolen Maximum Fine Incarceration
Second Degree Crime $75,000 or more $150,000 5-10 Years in Prison
Third Degree Crime At Least $500 But Less Than $75,000 $15,000 3-5 Years in Prison
Fourth Degree Crime At Least $200 But Less Than $500 $10,000 Up to 18 in Prison
Disorderly Persons Offense Less Than $200 $1,000 Up to 6 Months Jail

Jurisdiction To Decide Your South River Theft Charge. When a theft charge is indictable in nature (i.e. crime of the second degree, third degree or fourth degree), it can only be dealt with at the Middlesex County Superior Court. When the charge is a disorderly persons offense, the violation is heard in South River Municipal Court.

South River Theft Lawyer

A conviction for many forms of South River theft can result in severe penalties and collateral ramifications. For example, you face the possibility of incarceration and a criminal record for stealing, something that can impact you life in many ways. If you were arrested for burglary, receiving stolen property, theft by deception or another theft related charge, retaining the right lawyer is therefore important to protection of your future.

Here at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our attorneys are savvy litigators that, in most cases, have honed their skills over 10-20 years and as prosecutors. Each attorney has handled countless theft and fraud related criminal charges so that you can be confident when you walk into South River Municipal Court or the Middlesex County Superior Court that you have the protection you need. Our lawyers are available to discuss new cases, free of charge, by contacting us online or calling the office for immediate assistance.