Spotswood NJ Theft Attorney

Charged With Burglary, Shoplifting, Theft by Deception, Theft of Services, Receiving Stolen Property, Bad Check, Credit Card Theft or Another Theft Offense in Spotswood New Jersey

Former Middlesex County Prosecutor That Defend Theft Charges in the Borough of Spotswood

One of the most publicized theft offense cases in Spotswood involved allegations against a former mayor of stealing donated scholarship funds. While this was an extremely unique Spotswood theft charge, the truth is that there are many burglary, shoplifting, theft by deception, theft of services, receiving stolen property, credit card theft and other theft related offenses in this Middlesex Municipality. If you have been charged with any form of theft offense in Spotswood New Jersey, hiring a skilled attorney is important to maximizing your chances of escaping a conviction. Here at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our attorneys are highly experienced criminal defense lawyers that have been defending bad check and other theft charges in Spotswood Municipal Court and at the Middlesex County Superior Court for over a century combined. One of our former Middlesex County prosecutors is available 24/7 to discuss your case and initial consultations with our lawyers are always free. Contact us at 732-246-7126 to speak to an accomplished defense lawyer now.

Theft Offense in Spotswood

Almost every theft offense in Spotswood arises out of conduct involving taking money or property of another without a valid basis. The best measure of this concept is set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3, which is titled “theft by unlawful taking or disposition”, which renders an individual “guilty of theft if he unlawfully takes, or exercises unlawful control over, movable property of another with purpose to deprive him thereof.” Virtually every other theft or fraud charges shares commonality with this statute and the lawyers at our firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, defend all of these charges, including:

Criminal Penalties for Theft

The penalties for theft are laid out in N.J.S.A. 2C:20-2. The manner in which theft and fraud offenses are graded is predicted on the value of the property stolen in most cases. There are exceptions when it comes to certain thefts, for example, burglary, robbery, identity theft and credit card theft, but the primary criteria for determining penalties is the amount of the theft. If the amount involved is more than $200, the theft is a felony (or in New Jersey’s terms, an “indictable offense”), which will be handled in Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick. The more specific break down of grades for theft charges are:

• Second Degree Crime. It is a second degree crime if the amount involved is $75,000 or more. An individual faces 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000 upon conviction for second degree theft by deception, second degree robbery or another variety of offense falling in this grade.
• Third Degree Crime. A theft results in a third degree crime where the value of property is at least $500 but less than $75,000. The penalties for a third degree burglary, third degree receipt of stolen property, third degree bad check or other violation in this grade include up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
• Fourth Degree Crime. When the theft involves at least $200 but less than $500, it results in a fourth degree crime. A conviction for fourth degree shoplifting, fourth degree theft of services or another version of theft in this grade results in a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in jail.
• Disorderly Persons Offense. It is a disorderly persons offense when someone is involved in a theft involving less than $200. The biggest block of these charges are shoplifting cases. The penalties for a disorderly persons offense include a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail.

A savvy attorney can help you avoid the aforesaid penalties by presenting a thorough defense, negotiating a downgrade or dismissal or securing admission into a diversionary program like Conditional Dismissal or Pretrial Intervention.

Spotswood Theft Lawyers

If you are facing any kind of theft charge in Spotswood NJ, failure to properly defend the offense can seriously impact your future. Be sure that you have an experienced lawyer on your side to help you get through the ordeal. The lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are seasoned litigators who will work hard to downgrade your charges, or possibly get your case dismissed. We offer a free initial consultations with our attorneys. Take advantage of the opportunity to speak to a highly knowledgeable lawyer by calling 732-246-7126 today. A Marshall Firm attorney is standing by to speak with you about your case.