New Jersey is home to countless malls, shopping centers, and commercial roads packed with every store you can imagine. Unfortunately, these stores are a target for shoplifters who steal from their business. Shoplifting is considered a crime of moral turpitude and can result in serious penalties including fines, probation, community service, and even jail time depending on the value of the items stolen. For offenders who are not US citizens, a conviction for shoplifting can also affect their ability to return to the United States. If you are facing shoplifting charges, a skilled shoplifting attorney near me can help.
A seasoned shoplifting attorney near me will thoroughly review the case to determine potential grounds for getting the charges dropped and will skillfully negotiate with prosecutors and store managers to get the charges downgraded to a less serious offense that won’t result in a criminal record.
While the state of New Jersey takes shoplifting very seriously, it is not a violent crime and does not usually result in prison time. However, for habitual offenders, the courts can impose much harsher penalties than a first-time offender. Even a minor shoplifting offense can result in a fine and a mark on your criminal record that makes it very difficult to find employment or rent a home.
Many experienced defense attorneys have been successfully defending clients charged with shoplifting and related crimes such as possession of stolen property, theft by deception, and robbery. A conviction for shoplifting or any other theft crime can have lasting negative consequences on a person’s life, including impacting college applications, future employment, and professional licensing.
In many cases, a person may be arrested for a shoplifting offense because they forgot to take off the price tag of an item or simply walked out of the store with something that was already in their pocket. If these are the circumstances in your case, your shoplifting attorney near me will argue that you did not have intent to deprive the merchant of its property and that there is reasonable doubt that you intended to do so.
Another important aspect of a shoplifting defense is proving that the merchandise in question was either borrowed or lawfully acquired. In the case of shoplifting jewelry or electronics, your shoplifting attorney near me can use circumstantial evidence that the items were taken without the consent of the owner and that you did not intend to deprive the merchant of its property.
A final way that a shoplifting attorney near me can defend you from a shoplifting charge is by showing that the value of the merchandise stolen was substantially less than its retail value. This can be accomplished by using testimony such as appraisers and retailers to demonstrate that the item was not worth its retail value.
Even though the crime of shoplifting is a relatively minor theft offense, the penalties can be severe. A conviction for shoplifting could lead to a criminal record that will affect your employment opportunities, housing options, and community standing for years to come. If you or a loved one has been charged with shoplifting, it is important to find an experienced New Jersey shoplifting attorney near me immediately.
The law in New Jersey states that a person can be charged with a shoplifting offense when they “knowingly take or carry away merchandise sold by a merchant without paying for it.” This includes concealing the merchandise and also altering price tags in order to pay a lesser price for the item. Shoplifting is classified as either a fourth or second-degree offense depending on the value of the stolen merchandise. In addition, if you have a prior shoplifting conviction, then you may be required to serve jail time.
While it is extremely rare for someone to be jailed for a shoplifting offense, they will still be required to complete some form of unpaid community service. A shoplifting conviction also carries a restitution requirement that requires you to pay the merchant for all of their monetary losses resulting from the shoplifting offense. A court may also require you to pay the cost of any police department costs associated with a case.
A New Jersey shoplifting attorney near me can assist you in a variety of ways. An experienced shoplifting attorney near me can help you understand the laws associated with the offense and develop a strategy for fighting the charges. In some instances, the shoplifting attorney near me can even negotiate to have the charges dismissed altogether or reduced.
In addition, an experienced shoplifting attorney near me can provide valuable insight into whether you were detained illegally. New Jersey law allows store clerks or security employees to detain a customer if they have probable cause to believe that the person is committing a crime of shoplifting. However, the detention must be for a reasonable amount of time to allow them to investigate or otherwise alert the police. This is a critical aspect of any shoplifting defense because the detention cannot be on a hunch or based on race.
A conviction for shoplifting can have a devastating impact on an individual’s life, resulting in fines, jail time, and having a criminal record that will be a hindrance when looking for employment or housing opportunities. It is crucial that an accused person hires an experienced New Jersey shoplifting attorney near me to assist them in defending their legal rights and explore all possible defense strategies to avoid a criminal conviction and mitigate the negative consequences.
In the state of New Jersey, a person can be charged with shoplifting when they take merchandise from a store without paying for it. This includes removing anti-theft tags, altering or concealing merchandise to make it look less expensive, or even transferring a price tag to an item from another product to purchase it for cheaper. Additionally, removing a shopping cart from the premises of a store without permission can also be considered shoplifting.
Under New Jersey law, individuals can be charged with a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the merchandise that is taken. The maximum sentence for a shoplifting offense is six months in prison. Individuals who commit a second or subsequent offense can be charged with a felony, which can carry a higher sentence and substantial fines. Additionally, individuals found guilty of shoplifting can be required to pay restitution to the retailer and face civil penalties between $100 and $500.
One of the biggest issues with shoplifting in the state of New Jersey is that it can be a very difficult crime to prove. Stores often have security cameras that will record the actions of shoppers; however, it is challenging for law enforcement officers to identify certain features of an individual when the footage is analyzed.
In addition to restitution and civil penalties, shoplifting offenders can be required to perform community service. Typically, the first and second offense will require a person to perform 10 days of community service, and then 15 days for a third or subsequent offense.
If you have been charged with shoplifting, it is important to seek the guidance of an experienced shoplifting attorney near me right away. A seasoned shoplifting attorney near me will be able to review the details of your case and work to build a strong defense for you.
Many criminal attorneys have extensive experience defending clients against shoplifting and other property crime charges. Contact a shoplifting attorney near me today to schedule a free consultation with a shoplifting attorney near me who can help you protect your legal rights and achieve the best outcome for your situation. Many law offices have locations throughout the state of New Jersey and offer flexible appointment times to meet your needs. They accept credit cards and provide more information about their legal services on their websites.
Lustberg Law Offices, LLC
One University Plaza Dr Suite 210, Hackensack, NJ 07601, United States
(201) 880-5311