Bad Check Charge in North Brunswick New Jersey
A conviction for a theft or fraud related offense in North Brunswick New Jersey or elsewhere in Middlesex County can severely impact your life. Apart from being exposed to jail or prison and hefty fines, it leaves a criminal record that will effect you whenever you apply for a job, seek a security clearance, professional license or try to engage in any number of other endeavors. This should be signal enough that you absolutely need to consult a qualified lawyer if you have been charged with theft offense like burglary, bad checks, receiving stolen property or even shoplifting in North Brunswick.
Your best chance to avoid the stigma of a criminal record and penalties associated with theft is to hire an accomplished attorney and to aggressively fight the charges. At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our team of veteran criminal defense attorneys have more than 100 years of collective experience defending charges for writing a bad check, theft of services and other theft related violations. Whether you are facing an offense in North Brunswick Municipal Court or at the Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick, we have lawyers who are fully equipped to protect you against a finding of guilt. A North Brunswick Criminal Lawyer is available 24/7 at (732) 246-7126 to provide a free initial consultation.
Theft Offense in North Brunswick NJ
Theft comes in many forms, so there are several laws under which you can be charged with theft in North Brunswick. North Brunswick theft offenses are contained in N.J.S.A. 2C:20-1 and the sections that follow under that title. Theft offenses focus on taking or exercising control over property belonging to another person or entity without having the consent or permission of the owner. Your intent when engaging in the activity is to deprive the owner of the property. For instance, taking a lawnmower out of your neighbor’s garage and using it to mow your lawn is exercising control over it without your neighbor’s permission, but you lacked the intent to deprive your neighbor of it. Your intent was to use it and return it rather than keep it.
The core theft violation is N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3 which applies whenever someone takes money or property of another person with the purpose of depriving them of its benefit. A common thread to this law can be found in just about every theft or fraud offense contained in the New Jersey Criminal Code. Our lawyers can offer you skilled representation in any theft case including those involving:
- Auto theft
- Theft by deception
- Receiving stolen property
- Bad checks
- Theft by unlawful taking
- Theft of services
- Shoplifting
- Credit card theft
- Identity theft
- Forgery
Grading of a Theft Offense in North Brunswick
New Jersey classifies crimes as disorderly persons offenses, which other states and federal law refer to as misdemeanors, and indictable offenses, which are felonies in other jurisdictions. Thefts that are disorderly persons offenses come under the jurisdiction of the North Brunswick Municipal Court. Theft crimes that are indictable offenses, which are further classified as crimes of the second, third or fourth degree, are handled in Middlesex County Superior Court.
Grading, or the severity of the offense, is based primarily on the value of the property taken as follows:
- Crime of the second degree: Property valued at $75,000 or more
- Crime of the third degree: Property valued between $500 to less than $75,000
- Crime of the fourth degree: Property valued at $200 but less than $500
- Disorderly persons offense: Property valued at less than $200
Robbery, identity theft or a burglary charge in North Brunswick are examples of
North Brunswick Theft Offense Penalties
A conviction for a theft offense in North Brunswick Municipal Court or in the Middlesex County Superior Court could result in a judge sentencing you to the following depending on the grading of the charge:
- 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
Avoiding the penalties and criminal record of a conviction for North Brunswick theft offense requires an aggressive defense strategy and a resourceful criminal defense attorney capable of using the facts and the evidence to your advantage. For instance, if you have no previous convictions, our attorneys might persuade the prosecutor and judge handling your case to permit you to participate in a diversionary program like Conditional Dismissal or Pretrial Intervention leading to the eventual dismissal of the charges following a year of probation supervision.
North Brunswick Theft of Services Attorney
If you have been arrested for a theft offense in North Brunswick or believe you are under investigation, put our team of criminal lawyers to work so they may protect your rights with a tough and innovative defense. One of our attorneys is ready to review your case and plot a course for you to avoid a conviction. An attorney at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is available at (732) 246-7126 to assist you. Contact us anytime 24/7 for immediate attention from a knowledgeable lawyer.
