Carteret Theft Attorney

Theft Charge in Carteret New Jersey

Theft comes in many different forms in Carteret New Jersey. For example, a 43-year-old Carteret man recently impersonated his dead mother to commit a theft by deception and insurance fraud. In another incident, a Carteret women was charged with defrauding consumers seeking mortgage refinancing and credit card consolidation. Are you also facing theft or fraud related charges like theft of services, bad checks, burglary, credit card theft or receiving stolen property in the Borough of Carteret? If so, you need to obtain a competent attorney to help you. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is a team of eight former prosecutors and skilled lawyers that have extensive experience defending theft and fraud charges in Middlesex County, including those arising in Carteret. To speak to a lawyer with the know-how to challenge the state’s case against you, contact our office. Attorneys can be reached around the clock by calling 732-210-6241.

Carteret Theft Offense

The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has experience to defend any Carteret theft offense you may be facing including:

  • Theft by Deception
  • Theft of Services
  • Bad Checks
  • Robbery

Elements of a Carteret Theft Offense. To give you a sense of the elements of certain theft offenses, here are two examples:

  • In order to prove Theft by Deception under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4, the prosecutor must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that: (1) the defendant obtained the property of another; (2) the defendant purposely obtained the property by deception; and (3) the victim relied upon the deception in parting with the property. Based on the insurance example above. The defendant in that case is accused of attempted Theft by Deception because (i) he tried to obtain a renter’s insurance discount, (ii) he did so by trying to deceive the insurance company into thinking that he was his deceased mother, and (iii) the insurance company may have relied on his false representation.
  • In order to prove Theft of Services under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8, the prosecutor must establish that: (1) the defendant purposely obtained a service; (2) the defendant knew the services were available only for compensation; (3) the defendant obtained the services by deception (or threat, or by a false token, etc.); and (4) he defendant’s purpose was to avoid payment.

Theft Offense Penalties

The penalties for theft are laid out in N.J.S.A. 2C:20-2. If the amount involved is less than $200, the theft is typically a disorderly persons offense that is heard in Carteret Municipal Court. Shoplifting merchandise with a value of less than $200 is the classic municipal court theft charge. When the Carteret theft involves $200 or more, it is a felony that is handled at the Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick. The more detailed grading and penalties for most theft charges are contained in the chart below.

Grade of Offense Amount of Theft 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 Months
Disorderly Persons Offense Less than $200 $1,000 Up to 6 Months Jail

The breakdown above does not apply to certain forms of theft such as burglary, robbery, credit card theft, forgery and auto theft.

Carteret Theft Defense Lawyer

If you are facing theft charges of any kind in Carteret, the consequences could be very serious for your job, your family, and your life. You should make sure that you have an experienced lawyer in your corner to help you get through the ordeal. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are accomplished in defending theft offenses and will work hard to downgrade your charge or possibly get your case dismissed. Call 732-210-6241 to speak to an attorney on our defense team today. Initial consultations with the attorneys is at no cost to you.