Former Prosecutors In Middlesex County With Decades of Experience Defending Shoplifting Charges in South Amboy New Jersey
Shoplifting is a serious offense in South Amboy. A person can go to jail for a shoplifting offense, even where the retail theft involves an amount that is less than $200. When you consider consequences as significant as these, not to mention the collateral consequences of having a criminal record for stealing, it is pivotal that you retain a skilled attorney if you have been charged with shoplifting in South Amboy New Jersey.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is a team of knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense lawyers that have been serving Middlesex County for 100 years combined. In most cases, our attorneys have also previously served as prosecutors, learning how the system works from the opposite side. Our staff is ready to put is unique qualifications into action on your behalf. Call us at 732-800-7910 for a free consultation with a lawyer without obligation.
Charged With Shoplifting in South Amboy New Jersey
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11, shoplifting is purposely and intentionally taking or attempting to take merchandise from a mercantile establishment without paying full retail value for that merchandise.
Most shoplifting cases are graded as disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanors). A disorderly persons offense in New Jersey is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1000. In addition, you may be ordered to pay restitution to the merchant whose merchandise you stole. Disorderly persons offenses are handled at the South Amboy Municipal Court located at 140 North Broadway, South Amboy, N.J. 08879-1647, telephone number (732) 525-5929.
There are, however, circumstances where a person who has been arrested for shoplifting will be charged with an indictable offense (a felony). One of these circumstances is when the value of the merchandise allegedly shoplifted was in excess of $200. Indictable offenses are heard at the Middlesex County Superior Court located at 120 New Street, P.O. Box 2691, New Brunswick, NJ, phone number 732-519-3205.
If the value of the merchandise allegedly taken is between $200 and $500, the crime is graded as a fourth-degree indictable offense, punishable by up to $10,000 and possible jail time up to 18 months. If the value of the merchandise taken is between $500 and $75,000, the crime is a third-degree indictable offense, which carries a fine of up to $15,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
If you shop at a high-end store and allegedly stole something worth more than $75,000, you will be charged with a second-degree indictable offense which carries a presumption of incarceration for 5-10 years and fines of up to $150,000.
In addition to fines and penalties that will be imposed for a shoplifting conviction, you may also be required to complete a mandatory period of community service—10-days for a first offense, and 15 days for a second offense. If it is your third offense, you will be required to perform 25 days of community service and serve a minimum of 90 days in jail, regardless of how the crime is graded.
Resolving A Shoplifting Charge In South Amboy, New Jersey
Shoplifting cases are typically resolved in one of three ways. First of all, we can attempt to convince the prosecutor to dismiss the charge. Perhaps because you only stepped outside of the store to answer a call, or had no idea that you had not paid for the merchandise and had no intention of depriving the merchant of the full retail value of those goods.
The second way to resolve a shoplifting case is to get you into a diversion program such as Pretrial Intervention or Conditional Dismissal, whereby you pay restitution to the merchant for any items that may have been taken and participate in court-ordered counseling. After these requirements are completed, and as long as you stay out of trouble for six months to a year, your case will be dismissed.
The third way to resolve a shoplifting case is by fighting the charge in court. Our defense shoplifting defense lawyers are always prepared to go trial. We have over 100 years of combined experience and we successfully represent hundreds of people who are charged with shoplifting and even more serious criminal offenses every year.
Contact Our Experienced South Amboy Shoplifting Defense Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been charged with shoplifting in South Amboy, New Jersey, you need sound and aggressive legal representation by an accomplished attorney. The shoplifting defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are prepared to go above and beyond to defend you. For a free consultation, call 732-800-7910 to speak to a lawyer immediately. Attorneys are prepared to answer your questions and advise you as to the best course of action for avoiding a conviction.
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