Shoplifting

Because of the way New Jersey structures theft crime sentencing, charges of Shoplifting (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11) can become extremely serious for you.

At the lowest level, you can be charged with a disorderly persons offense if the value of the goods taken is less than $200.

The maximum penalty is six months and a $1,000 fine.

If the value of the goods taken is between $200 and $500, you’ll be charged with a crime of the fourth degree, which is the equivalent of a low felony in other states.

You’ll face up to 18 months in prison and fines up to $10,000, though first time offenders will benefit from a presumption of non-incarceration.

Beyond this, the charges become extremely dangerous for you. At the third degree level, with a sentence of between three and five years and a fine of $15,000, the value of the goods can be anywhere from $500 to $75,000.

It’s a huge range, and puts many low-level offenders in the same category as many career thieves.

Finally, when the value of goods is more than $75,000, you’ll be charged with a crime of the second degree and face five to 10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000.

At all levels, you’ll be required to pay restitution to victims and various fees.

Attorney Matthew Reisig is broadly experienced in defending clients against theft and shoplifting charges.

Call 732-625-9661 today for a free consultation.

New Jersey statute indicates that intent is required to prove shoplifting, so arguing that you inadvertently walked out of the store with merchandise can be a defense.

It is not an especially strong defense, particularly if there are other facts that can be used to convince a jury that you did intend to shoplift merchandise.

If you have a past shoplifting conviction, current money problems, or similar life events that can be used against you, you can bet the prosecutor will come at you with them.

In cases where merchandise inadvertently walked out the door and the situation escalated to criminal charges, you need strong representation to calm the situation if possible, and fight back if it’s not.

Call attorney Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 and talk to an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney for free.

Shoplifting is the crime of purposely taking merchandise and attempting to carry it away, concealing merchandise for the purpose of depriving the merchant of its value, altering labels to manipulate the value of merchandise, or under-ringing the value of merchandise.

Like most theft crimes, the penalties are directly related to the quantity or value of things taken, so stealing a pack of gum from a convenience store is not the same as stealing a car from an auto dealership.

If you are alleged to have stolen goods worth less than $200, you will be charged with a Disorderly Persons Offense, carrying a maximum penalty of six months in jail.

If you are a first offender, you benefit from the presumption of non-incarceration and shouldn’t go to jail.

When the value of goods taken is between $200-$500 dollars, you will be charged with a Fourth Degree crime, which carries a sentence of up to 18 months, though again, New Jersey would prefer not to incarcerate with no criminal history.

Shoplifting in the Third Degree spans a huge value – $500-$75,000 – and can put you away for three to five years in state prison.

A Second Degree Shoplifting charge means that the value of stolen goods exceeded $75,000, and there is simply no question that you need legal help.

To avoid a 5-10 year sentence upon conviction, call attorney Matthew Reisig at 732-625-9661 and learn how to fight the charges against you.