Charged With a Theft Offense in Monroe New Jersey

Charged With a Theft Offense in Monroe New Jersey

Even a minor theft charge in Monroe New Jersey can lead to months or even years in jail, especially if you have a prior criminal record. In addition to possible jail time, a theft or fraud offense can carry with it significant fines, cost you your job or future employment, and can even lead to a suspension of your driver’s license. This is why it is so important to secure skilled representation for a burglary, shoplifting, receiving stolen property, bad check or other theft related offense.

If you have been charged with a theft offense in Monroe Township, an experienced theft attorney at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is equipped to help you. Our lawyers focus exclusively on defending clients accused of criminal charges and can help you avoid jail time and/or permanent mark on your criminal record. We have over 100 years of combined experience that allows us to mount a thorough defense to charges like credit card theft, robbery and theft of services.

The attorneys on our staff include former county and municipal prosecutors with decades of success defending clients in both Monroe Municipal Court and at the Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick. Do not delaying in protecting your future and contact our firm to speak to a skilled lawyer immediately. Call us at (732) 227–1200 for a free consultation where we can talk about how we will defend your theft charge.

Monroe Township Theft Offense

Under New Jersey statute, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3, theft is the taking of someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property and is a crime that can be charged in a variety of ways, including:

A theft crime in New Jersey will be charged as either a disorderly persons offense (a misdemeanor) or a felony, depending on the value of the allegedly stolen property. The only exception is for burglary, robbery, forgery, identity theft  or insurance fraud. Unless one of these offenses are involved, theft of property valued at less than $200 is a disorderly persons offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 180 days in a county jail. Theft of property valued at $200 to $500 is a fourth degree crime that results in a of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months for imprisonment. Theft of property valued at $500 to $75,000 is a third degree crime subject you to a fine of up to $15,000 and up to 5 years of incarceration. Theft of property valued at more than $75,000 is a second degree crime that triggers penalties that include a fine of up to $150,000 and 5-10 years in prison.

In such cases, the first thing you need to know is that if you are not guilty of the offense, our law firm will work hard and vigorously to represent you to obtain an acquittal and dismissal of the charge. But, even if there is evidence to show that you were responsible for the offense, our lawyers can help.

If you have any liability or responsibility for the offense, we will take a multiple step approach to defend the charge. First, in a case that has not yet been filed, we will contact the prosecutor or complaining witness and attempt to resolve the case informally without criminal charges being filed, usually involving the payment of restitution to the victim.

Second, if a criminal case has been filed and it is a felony charge, we will attempt to get the charges downgraded to a disorderly persons offense, thereby avoiding a felony conviction for your case.

Third, if the alleged crime was charged as a disorderly persons offense, we will attempt to resolve the matter by way of a civil compromise, whereby payment of restitution will be made and the charges will be dismissed.

Finally, we may able to negotiate for you a deferred sentence or a diversion plan whereby payment of restitution, community service, and overall good citizenship will ultimately result in the case being dismissed without a conviction.

Monroe NJ Theft Offense Defense Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been charged with a theft crime in Monroe, New Jersey, a defense lawyer at our firm has the experience to help successfully defend the charge. Our attorneys have successfully resolved a countless number of theft cases ranging from shoplifting to allegations of credit card fraud. There is little doubting the ability of the Marshall Criminal Firm and its lawyers to ensure your full protection. To learn the best approach for defending your theft offense in Monroe Township New Jersey, call (732) 227-1200 to speak to an attorney now.