Union County Shoplifting Defense Lawyers
Our attorneys have handled hundreds of shoplifting offenses in Union County and other venues. This has allowed them to hone their strategies and tactics in defending those charged with shoplifting. The experience of Jonathan F. Marshall and Thomas V. Campo has also included years serving as municipal court and county prosecutors. Colin Bonus also has significant experience, having been defending individuals for almost thirty (30) years. An attorney on our team would be happy to address your questions free of charge. Our lawyers are available 24/7 at 1-877-450-8301 to assist you.
Shoplifting Law
The New Jersey Shoplifting Law is contained at N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11. This law sets forth six (6) prohibited types of conduct which constitute “shoplifting”. The circumstances rendered illegal by this statute generally include: (1) carry way or transferring property with the intention of depriving the retail establishment of its value; (2) concealing property to deprive the retailer of its value; (3) altering price tags and/or labels for purposes of depriving the merchant of the true value of the property; (4) transferring merchandise from its original container to another for purposes of depriving the merchant of the value of the property; (5) under-ringing of merchandise in order to deprive the retail establishment of the full value of the property; and (6) removing a shopping cart from an establishment with the intention of permanently depriving the retailer of the cart.
Grading of Your Union County Shoplifting Charge
If you were arrested for shoplifting, the penalties to which you are exposed depend on the gradation of the offense charged. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11, it is a second degree crime to shoplift something with a value of $75,000 or more, a third degree offense to shoplift merchandise with a value of at least $500 but less than $75,000, and a fourth degree charge to steal property with a value of $200 to $500. A theft involving merchandise of a value of $200 or less is a disorderly persons offense.
Penalties for Shoplifting that May Be Imposed by a Judge in Union County
A penalty mandated by the shoplifting law is community service. The community service obligation upon conviction for a first offense of shoplifting is 10 days. The community service requirement escalates to 15 days for a second offense and up to 25 days for a third or subsequent offense. In terms of jail, there is a mandatory period of incarceration of 3 months for a third conviction of a disorderly persons grade of shoplifting. The jail sentences for Second Degree, Third Degree, and Fourth Degree shoplifting follow the standard guidelines; that is, zero to 18 months for a Fourth Degree, zero to 5 years for a Third Degree and 5 to 10 years of jail for a second degree.
You are encouraged to contact us as our lawyers are always happy to assist potential clients. Our attorneys are available immediately so do not hesitate if you are in need of assistance.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall represents individuals on shoplifting charges in the municipal courts of Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Roselle, Roselle Park, Linden, Rahway, Summit, Mountainside, Scotch Plains, Berkeley Heights, Fanwood, Westfield, Springfield, Union, Hillside, Garwood, Plainfield and New Providence, and the Superior Court of Union County, 2 Broad Street, New Jersey 07201.
