If you or someone you know has been arrested any variety of theft crime in South Amboy NJ, it is important that you do your best to avoid a conviction. Failure to successfully defend your burglary, shoplifting, robbery, bad checks, theft by deception, credit card theft or receiving stolen property will result in serious penalties and the collateral consequence of a record for stealing that can impact your life for years to come. The biggest weapon you possess in avoiding the ramifications of a theft charge is to retain an accomplished criminal lawyer.
The defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are ready to undertake all necessary efforts to help you avert the pitfalls of a theft conviction. A conviction for a theft crime can follow you for a lifetime unless the proper actions are taken early in your case. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can advise you properly as to how to approach your case based on your circumstances. To arrange a free initial consultation with one of our South Amboy theft defense attorneys, call us at 732-210-9021.
Charged With a Theft Offense in South Amboy, NJ
Theft charges can be very serious depending on what was taken and how much it was worth. A shoplifting charge is, for example, usually a disorderly persons offense (i.e. merchandise with a value of under $200). This grade of theft is handled at the South Amboy Municipal Court. On the other hand, if you are facing an indictable theft offense involving a crime of the first degree, second degree, third degree or fourth degree, the offense can only be dealt with at the Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick New Jersey. The lawyers at our firm are highly experience in defending theft and fraud related charges in both of these venues including cases alleging:
- Bad Checks
- Burglary
- Credit Card Fraud
- Credit Card Theft
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insurance Fraud
- Obtaining CDS by Fraud
- Prescription Fraud
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Robbery
- Shoplifting
- Theft by Deception
- Theft of Movable Property
- Money Laundering
- Theft of Services
Depending on the severity and the type of theft crime, as well as your criminal record, penalties for a theft crime in New Jersey can include restitution, fines, imprisonment, and probation. A conviction for a disorderly persons offense can incur up to six months in a county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. In terms of felony theft violations, a fourth degree crime carries up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, a third degree crime results in a fine of up to $15,000 and 3-5 years in prison, a second degree triggers a fine that can reach $150,000 and 5-10 years in prison and a first degree crime, the most severe grade, can result in 10-20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $200,000.
Defending a Theft Offense in South Amboy, NJ
At The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, we find that there are three key periods for defending a theft charge. The first period is pre-arraignment, that is before the prosecutor has even filed the case. This period is critical because we have the opportunity to go to the prosecutor, after having developed your case, to show why they should not file the case at all. Our lawyers have been successful at doing this in the past, we will be successful at doing this in the future, and we would like the opportunity to do this for you.
If that does not work and the prosecutor does, in fact, file the case, then we move to the next time period––the time period between your arraignment (where you plead guilty or not guilty to the charge) and the trial itself. This is called the pretrial period. During this period, we will continue to develop your case, both for the purpose of presenting it to the prosecutor with the aim of asking them to dismiss your case, and to prepare your case for trial if the prosecutor doesn’t dismiss your case.
Finally, if we must go to trial, we will have fully prepared your case which, for very serious cases, may involve hiring experts, forensic accountants, and other professionals to examine your case. This, and the fact that we have tried countless theft cases successfully, will give us the best chance to prevail on your behalf.
South Amboy Theft Lawyer
Defense of a theft charge can be complicated and varied. If you have been accused of theft in South Amboy New Jersey, you need a savvy lawyer to guide you through the legal process. The theft defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have the skills to help you and will fight on your behalf to protect you from losing your freedom and your good reputation. Call our Woodbridge office at 732-210-9021 to speak to an attorney immediately about the facts surrounding your burglary, bad check, credit card theft or other theft offense. Lawyers are standing by now to assist you.
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