Charged With Burglary, Theft by Deception, Bad Checks, Shoplifting, Receiving Stolen Property or Another Theft Offense in Middlesex New Jersey
Contact Our Criminal Defense Firm To Speak To One Of Our Former Middlesex County Prosecutors
Theft offenses cover a broad range of conduct, such as fraud and offenses like shoplifting, bad checks, burglary, robbery, receiving stolen property, theft by deception and credit card theft. One thing they all have in common is that New Jersey takes them very seriously and authorizes severe penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines. If you have been charged with a theft offense in Middlesex Borough, your best chance of avoiding the consequences, including a criminal record that identifies you to potential employers as a thief, is an aggressive legal defense strategy from an experienced attorney dedicated to winning your freedom.
The Middlesex Borough theft lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have more than 100 years of combined experience defending people charged with theft offenses in the municipal and superior courts throughout Middlesex County. Their innovative defense strategies are tailored specifically to the facts and evidence of your case in order to achieve the best results. All of our attorneys devote their practices exclusively to criminal defense, and many of them have first-hand knowledge of the workings of the court system as former prosecutors. If you have been arrested for a theft offense in Middlesex Borough or anywhere in Middlesex County, call us at (732) 562-0308 for a free consultation with a lawyer on our defense team. An attorney is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Theft Offenses in Middlesex Borough New Jersey
Criminal charges are merely allegations unless prosecutors present evidence at trial proving beyond a reasonable doubt that you took or exercised control over property belonging to another person or entity without the owner’s consent or permission. You cannot be convicted unless the evidence proves you intended to deprive the owner of the property, so aggressively challenging the evidence, including the testimony of witnesses, can be effective in weakening the case prosecutors believe they have against you in order to secure an acquittal.
Some of the common theft offenses arising in Middlesex Borough include:
- Theft by Deception
- Bad Checks
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Theft of Services
- Credit card theft
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Shoplifting
Theft prosecutions frequently use evidence seized by law enforcement officers through searches and seizures. Prosecutors might use statements you made to police as evidence against you. Our attorneys carefully review the evidence and use motions to ask the judge assigned to your case to prohibit prosecutors from using any evidence obtained in violation of your rights under state laws and the U.S. Constitution. This would include statements you made to police in violation of the Fifth and Sixth Amendments and any evidence seized in violation of the Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful searches and seizures.
Grading of Theft Offenses in Middlesex Borough
The severity of theft crimes can range from disorderly persons offenses, the equivalent of misdemeanors, up to indictable offense, which are felonies in other states. The penalties and severity of the charge depends upon how the theft offense is graded. Grading depends upon the value of the property taken. The following is how value affects theft charges:
- Indictable crime of the second degree: Property valued at $75,000 or more
- Indictable crime of the third degree: Property valued between $500 to less than $75,000
- Indictable crime of the fourth degree: Property valued at $200 but less than $500
- Disorderly persons offense: Property valued at less than $200
Middlesex Borough Theft Offense Penalties
Based on the seriousness of the theft offense, New Jersey law authorizes the following penalties following a conviction:
- Crimes of the second degree: Five to 10 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines
- Crimes of the third degree: Up to five years in prison and fines up to $15,000
- Crimes of the fourth degree: Eighteen months in prison and a fine up to $10,000
- Disorderly persons offenses: Up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,000
Diversion programs offer a way to avoid the harsh penalties and criminal record of a theft offense conviction. If you are eligible for a diversion program, our attorneys passionately argue on your behalf to convince the judge and prosecutors to allow you to participate.
A diversion program offers you the opportunity to serve a sentence of one year on supervised probation. Successful completion of your probation supervision results in your case going back to court for dismissal of the charges without a record of conviction.
Middlesex Borough Theft Offense Attorney
The Middlesex Borough theft offense attorneys on our defense team are dedicated advocates who will fight to protect your interests. Our track record of success utilizing these efforts is extensive and our lawyers are prepared to accomplish the same for you. For a consultation with a lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, call (732) 562-0308. An attorney is available to speak with you 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
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