A trip to the Ocean County Mall, located at 1201 Hooper Avenue in Toms River, New Jersey, can turn into a nightmare if you are caught shoplifting or accused of shoplifting. Ocean County Mall sees its fair share of shoplifting cases. With crowds of people descending on the Jersey Shore each year, the Ocean County Mall is a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. The mall contains a wide range of retail store including Coach, Express, Famous Footwear, Build-A-Bear, Bath & Body Works, GameStop, H&M, GNC, JCPenney, Kay Jewelers, L’Occitane, Macy’s, Lids, Old Navy, Pandora, and more. If you are facing charges for shoplifting in Ocean County Mall, hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney is a very important first step toward a successful outcome in your case. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about Ocean County Mall shoplifting charges. To begin your defense strategy and speak with an experienced Ocean County shoplifting lawyer about how you can minimize the negative impact these charges can have on your life, call us at (848) 238-2100. Consultations are free and an attorney is available immediately to assist you.
What are the Penalties for Shoplifting in Ocean County Mall?
If you are ultimately convicted of stealing or trying to steal merchandise in Ocean County Mall, the penalties you may face will depend on the level or degree of your shoplifting offense. If you are charged with a disorderly persons offense for shoplifting merchandise with a value less than $200, you can be sentenced to up to 6 months in jail and be ordered to pay fines of $1,000. When the value of the merchandise was at least $200 but not more than $500, you may be charged with a fourth degree crime. If convicted, you may be facing $10,000 in fines and jail time of up to 18 months. Under New Jersey Section 2c:20-11, which explains shoplifting, is a third degree crime to shoplift merchandise valued greater than $500 but less than $75,000. This offense can carry up to 3 to 5 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines. If you commit retail theft of more than $75,000 worth of merchandise, you can be charged with second degree shoplifting and be ordered to serve up to 5 to 10 years in prison and pay fines of up to $150,000.
In addition to the aforementioned potential penalties, first time offenders are required to perform at least 10 days of community service. If this is your second shoplifting charge, you will be required to serve 15 days of community service. A requirement of 25 days of community service applies to third and subsequent offenses. Third and subsequent offenders are required to serve at least 90 days in jail.
Just Arrested for Shoplifting at Ocean County Mall, Where Will I Have Court?
If you were charged with a disorderly person offense in the Ocean Mall, your case will be heard and decided by a municipal court judge at the Toms River Municipal Court, located at 255 Oak Avenue in Toms River, NJ. On the other hand, if you are facing charges for fourth, third, or second degree shoplifting (which are indictable offenses), your case will be heard at the Ocean County Superior Court. The court is located at 120 Hooper Avenue in Toms River, NJ. Municipal and Superior court cases in Ocean County entail entirely different rules and procedures, so it is best to have a lawyer who regularly handles cases in both of these courts representing you. Our team frequently appears in Toms River Municipal Court and Ocean County Superior Court, so feel free to call us for an explanation of the process and how we can help.
Charged with Shoplifting in Ocean County Mall, What Should I do?
Whether you will be sentenced to serve time in prison or other punishments following a shoplifting arrest in Ocean County Mall depends on a number of factors, most importantly, whether you are convicted of the charge. The best possible outcome is if the prosecutor dismisses the case entirely. This will only happen if the prosecutor determines there is not enough evidence to convince the judge or jury that you are guilty of shoplifting, or if you have an experienced attorney who knows how to construct the best defense. Contact our local offices in Ocean County, NJ, for a free review of your shoplifting case. An experienced Ocean County shoplifting defense lawyer at our firm will listen to your unique circumstances and determine what defenses you may have available. Call us right away at (848) 238-2100 or fill at our online form to schedule a consultation.
