Camden NJ Shoplifting Lawyer
Criminal Defense Attorney with Offices in Collingswood, New Jersey
Being arrested for shoplifting can have a significant impact on your life because of the penalties that come along with a conviction, including potential jail time. An arrest for shoplifting can result from a number of actions such as tampering with price tags or removing the anti-theft tag on a piece of merchandise. Further, it is not uncommon for a person charged with shoplifting to be charged with other closely related theft crimes such as theft of movable property. This is why you need an aggressive and experienced defense attorney if you have been charged with shoplifting.
The criminal defense team at the the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison defend clients charged with theft related offenses such as theft by deception, credit card fraud, and shoplifting in New Jersey including Burlington and Camden County. With around 40 years of combined experience, our defense attorneys know what it takes to help get you the most desirable result in your case. In fact, one of our attorneys has handled countless shoplifting cases and has been featured in the Daily Record from Morris County as a result of his success in several of these cases. This sort of expertise can be extremely valuable in your case. The Law Offices of Leonard Biddison are available anytime for a free initial consultation to speak with you about your case. Call us today at 877-450-8301.
Shoplifting in New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11b
In New Jersey, shoplifting is explained under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11b. You can be charged with shoplifting based on the following acts:
1) For any person purposely to take possession of, carry away, transfer or cause to be carried away or transferred, any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the possession, use or benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant the full retail value thereof.
2) For any person purposely to conceal upon his person or otherwise any merchandise offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the processes, use or benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant the value thereof.
3) For any person purposely to alter, transfer or remove any label, price tag or marking indicia of value or any other markings which aid in determining value affixed to any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment and to attempt to purchase such merchandise personally or in consort with another at less than the full retail value with the intention of depriving the merchant of all or some part of the value thereof.
Penalties for Shoplifting in New Jersey
The penalties for shoplifting in New Jersey are based on what degree you are charged with. The degree is determined by the value of the property stolen:
Second Degree: If the full retail value is $75,000 or more. This carries a 5-10 year term in New Jersey State Prison and a presumption of incarceration. Further, a $150,000 fine may be imposed.
Third Degree: If the full retail value is $500 – $75,000. This carries a 3-5 year term in NJ State Prison. Further, a fine of $15,000 may be imposed.
Fourth Degree: If the full retail value is between $200 and $500. This carries a term of 18 months in NJ State Prison. Further a fine of $10,000 may be imposed.
Disorderly Persons Offense: In all other cases. This carries a terms of 6 months in county jail and a $1,000 maximum fine.
Note: To be charged with shoplifting, a person does not necessarily even have to exit the store. Concealment of merchandise with the intent to steal can be enough to warrant a shoplifting charge. Further, if force is used during the course of the theft, your charges can be upgraded to robbery which can result in even more serious consequences.
Contact a Cherry Hill NJ Shoplifting Defense Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison are always available to speak with you about your case and begin to formulate an aggressive strategy to defend you against your shoplifting charge. Our criminal defense team understands the details of theft law in New Jersey and we will use this knowledge to help you best defend against these charges. Call us today at 877-450-8301 for a free initial consultation about your case.
