If you have been charged with a theft offense in South Plainfield New Jersey, you face serious criminal penalties and collateral consequences. We can say this because whether your charge involves a crime of the second, third or fourth degree at the Middlesex County Superior Court or disorderly persons offense in South Plainfield Municipal Court, you will be exposed to not only significant fines and the possibility of imprisonment but also a criminal record for stealing that will dog you for years to come. Enlisting representation from a skilled defense lawyer is going to be your biggest tool in ensuring you avoid these consequences.
The attorneys at our firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, have what you need in terms of qualifications. We will strive to avoid a criminal conviction, eliminate the threat of penalties, and achieve an outcome that will permit expungement of you arrest. Our defense team utilizes over 100 years of combined experience, including time serving as county and municipal prosecutors, to achieve these objectives. For a consultation with an attorney at the firm now, contact our New Brunswick Office anytime 24/7 at 732-246-7126.
South Plainfield Theft Charge
The New Jersey Criminal Code contains an array of theft and fraud charges that an individual can face in South Plainfield. The lawyers on our staff defend any charge of this nature including:
- Bad Checks
- Burglary
- Credit Card Theft
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insurance Fraud
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Robbery Shoplifting
- Theft by Deception
- Credit Card Fraud
- Theft of Services
- Obtaining CDS by Fraud
- Theft of Movable Property
- Insurance Fraud
The most common of these offenses is theft of movable property under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3 that applies where someone “takes, or exercises unlawful control over, movable property of another with purpose to deprive him thereof.” When the theft involves property with a value less than $200, it results in a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a fine of up to $1,000. A theft of property with a value of at least $200 but less than $500 is a fourth degree crime that can result in up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. It is a third degree crime to commit a theft involving property with a value of at least $500 but less than $75,000. The penalties for third degree theft include a find of up to $15,000 and up to 5 years of incarceration. A second degree crime arises where the property stolen is $75,000 or higher. You face a fine of up to $150,000 and 5-10 years in prison in convicted of second degree theft.
Defending a Theft Offense in South Plainfield NJ
Given the seriousness of theft criminal charges, preserving and protecting your rights by contacting an experienced theft crimes defense lawyer is of the utmost importance. If your arrest was a mistake, or if the allegations against you are false, we can fight the charge. Legal defenses can include:
- The fact that other people had access to property;
- A lack of intent on your part; or
- A simple mistake made through inattention or carelessness.
If you get us involved in your case early, we may be able to arrange the upfront payment of restitution to the victim or the immediate return of the property at issue. This can, at times, persuade the court not to prosecute or to withdraw the charges against you. Even if you have been caught red-handed, our office may be able to formulate an effective strategy designed to avoid the negative consequence of a theft offense.
At your initial consultation, we can discuss your eligibility to participate in a diversion program designed to result in a dismissal of the charge, for example, Conditional Dismissal or Pretrial Intervention. In the alternative, we can seek to avoid a formal conviction on your record through the withholding of adjudication of guilt.
South Plainfield Theft Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a theft crime in South Plainfield, NJ, a defense attorney at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has the experience to get your charge downgraded or dismissed. Every theft and fraud related offense is different and as lawyers who have been battling them for over a century between the litigators on our staff. A lawyer with the know how required to fully protect you is available for a free consultation to discuss the specific facts and circumstances of your case. Call our East New Brunswick office at 732-201-6509 to speak to one of our attorneys now.
