Charged With Burglary, Shoplifting, Receiving Stolen Property, Writing a Bad Check or Another Form of Theft in Perth Amboy New Jersey?
A dark cloud tends to follow someone once they are charged with a theft offense in Perth Amboy or anywhere else. The reason is because a shoplifting, theft of services, burglary, bad check, receiving stolen property or other theft charge creates the impression that the accused is dishonest or has a propensity to steal. While this may be a totally inaccurate perception, the truth is that this bias exists so you need to do everything you can to avoid a conviction to a Perth Amboy theft offense. Retaining an attorney with the skills to effectively defend the charge is your best recourse for achieving this objective.
The theft offense defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have years of experience helping individuals charged in Perth Amboy and other locations with theft charges like:
- Robbery Burglary
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Theft of Movable Property
- Bad Checks
- Theft by Deception
- Prescription Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Identity Theft
- Insurance Fraud
- Credit Card Theft
- Forgery
- Theft of Services
- Bad Checks
- Obtaining CDS by Fraud
- Theft by Extortion
Our team of attorneys includes several former prosecutors, including two who have served in Middlesex County. If you were arrested or otherwise charged with any variety of theft of fraud in Perth Amboy, contact our office at 732-204-8391 for a free consultation with a lawyer our staff.
Perth Amboy Theft Charges
The term “theft” is generally used to describe the unlawful taking or exercise of control over property with the intent to permanently deprive the true owner of its benefit. Theft charges can take may forms in Perth Amboy with many of the individual offenses having previously been set forth in this article. The headings below set forth some of the important aspects of theft charges:
- Grading of a Theft Offense. Most theft crimes are graded as either a disorderly persons offenses or an indictable offense (a felony) based on the value of the property stolen. There are some varieties of theft that are not graded in this manner including credit card theft, burglary, robbery and identity theft.
- Theft of property or services worth less than $200 result in a disorderly persons offense falling under the jurisdiction of the Perth Amboy Municipal Court. Penalties for a disorderly persons offense for shoplifting, writing a bad check or the like include a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail
- Theft of property or services worth at least $200 but less than $500 result in a fourth degree crime. A conviction for a fourth degree shoplifting, theft of services or similarly graded offense results in up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Theft of property or services worth at least $500 but less than $75,000 result in a third degree crime punishable by 3-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
- Theft of property or services worth $75,000 or more result in a second degree crime. Penalties for this form of theft carry 5-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
- Diversion of a Theft Case. You can avoid prosecution for a burglary or other form of theft if you are a first time offender and meet certain eligibility requirements for Pretrial Intervention (i.e. fourth, third or second degree crime) or Conditional Dismissal (i.e. disorderly persons offense). It is always advisable to consult with a knowledgeable
Having a criminal conviction for a theft crime can affect everything else in your life. For example, trying to keep or get a new job, or trying to get or keep any type of vocational or professional license. Why miss out on opportunities when our theft defense attorneys can help you fight the charge and eliminate or minimize the consequences you face.
Perth Amboy Theft Offense Lawyer
At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our attorneys are highly skilled in the defense of burglary, credit card theft, bad checks, theft of movable property (a.k.a. theft by unlawful taking) and other charges arising in Perth Amboy. Whether your offense is pending in municipal court or is a third degree, fourth degree or second degree crime at the Middlesex County Superior Court, the lawyers on our team have the abilities to successfully defend you. A lawyer is available to help you around the clock by contacting our Woodbridge Office at 732-751-4458. An attorney ready to answer your questions now.
