Theft Defense Lawyer in Edison
People are arrested or accused of theft in New Jersey every day. The state’s criminal laws take theft offenses seriously, and convictions can result in significant penalties with long-lasting consequences.
But the facts of the case matter when it comes to how the case proceeds and what happens if you’re found guilty. An Edison theft defense lawyer from William Proetta Criminal Law can help you pursue the best possible outcome.
Our seasoned criminal defense lawyers know the New Jersey Criminal Code backward and forward. We have successfully represented clients in theft cases in Edison and the surrounding areas for over 10 years. No case is too big or too small for us. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
Why You Need Our Edison Theft Defense Attorneys
Facing theft charges is understandably frightening. You may be worried about your reputation and future. Defendants in Edison and throughout New Jersey have turned to the theft crimes defense attorneys at William Proetta Criminal Law for help because of our exclusive focus on criminal law and track record of successful results for our clients.
Our law firm prides itself on taking a personalized approach to criminal cases. We take the time to explain your rights, discuss potential defenses, and provide transparent advice so you can make informed decisions. We know how urgent your case is to you, which is why we make ourselves available at night and on weekends to answer your questions.
Types and Degrees of Theft Charges in Edison
New Jersey criminal law prohibits a wide range of theft offenses, including:
- Robbery – A person commits robbery if, in the course of committing a theft, they use force or inflict injury upon another person, threaten another person with immediate injury, or commit or threaten to commit a first- or second-degree crime.
- Theft by unlawful taking or disposition – This crime occurs when a person takes or exercises unlawful control over movable property or transfers interest in immovable property to deprive the owner of their interests.
- Theft by deception – An offender commits theft by deception when they obtain property from someone by purposely creating or reinforcing a false impression, preventing that person individual from acquiring material information, or failing to correct a false impression unless such false impressions constitute an exaggeration unlikely to deceive a reasonable individual.
- Theft by extortion – In theft by extortion, an offender obtains property by threatening to harm others, commit a crime, accuse someone of a crime, expose secrets, withhold information in a legal action, or otherwise inflict harm on others.
- Theft of lost property – A person commits this crime when they come into possession or control of property they know to have been lost, mislaid, or misdelivered and fail to return the property to the owner (when their identity is known).
- Receiving stolen property – People commit this crime when they keep property they know or believe has been stolen.
- Theft of services – A person commits theft of services when they purposely obtain services you typically pay for, such as cable TV, hotel or restaurant accommodations, taxis, utilities, or entertainment.
- Theft by failure to make required disposition of received property – This happens when someone entrusted with someone else’s property keeps it without payment or other disposition.
- Theft of a motor vehicle – Taking or exercising control over someone else’s vehicle with the intent to deprive that person of their ownership or use of it constitutes theft of a motor vehicle in New Jersey.
- Shoplifting – Carrying away or concealing merchandise for sale, removing or altering a price tag, or stealing a shopping cart are examples of shoplifting.
In New Jersey, theft also includes offenses like identity theft, burglary, credit card fraud, forgery, and writing bad checks.
Potential Penalties for Edison Theft Charges
In New Jersey, the grading of a theft offense and the resulting penalties for a conviction typically depend on the property’s total value. Potential penalties for a theft offense in Edison include:
- Less than $200 – Disorderly persons offense, which carries a penalty of up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000
- $200 to $500 – Fourth-degree felony, with a penalty of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
- $500 to $75,000 – Third-degree felony, with a potential penalty of 3-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000
- Over $75,000 – Second-degree felony, which carries a penalty of 5-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000
In addition to potential fines, courts can order defendants convicted of theft to pay restitution to victims, reimbursing them with the value of the property or services stolen. A New Jersey theft defense lawyer can help you explore strategies that could get your charges reduced or dismissed, including participation in a pre-trial intervention program (PTI) when appropriate.
Legal Strategies for Fighting Theft Charges in Edison
You may have various factual or legal defenses to fight theft charges, depending on the circumstances. Common examples of defense strategies used in theft cases include:
- Rightful ownership – A defendant may contest a theft charge by proving that they acquired lawful ownership or possession of the property.
- Consent – A consent defense requires a defendant to prove that the property’s lawful owner consented to their possession or use of the property.
- Mistake of fact or law – Many theft case defense strategies revolve around proving that the defendant made a mistake of fact or law, such as mistakenly believing that they lawfully owned or possessed the property.
Your Legal Rights When Facing Theft Charges
After an arrest for theft, you have critical rights that can protect you in a criminal prosecution. First, you have the right to remain silent, which means you do not have to answer investigators’ questions about your theft charges. The prosecution also cannot require you to testify at trial. You also have the right to legal counsel, including the right to speak with an attorney before police questioning and to have them present during questioning. After an arrest, you can exercise your rights by informing the police that you want to speak with a criminal defense lawyer immediately.
How Our Edison Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Never take on the New Jersey criminal justice system alone. The Edison theft crimes defense lawyers at William Proetta Criminal Law will work toward a favorable resolution to your case by:
- Explaining the charges against you and your legal options
- Investigating the theft case and recovering valuable evidence to support your defense
- Identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
- Advocating for your best interests
- Pursuing the most favorable outcome
Whether this is your first theft offense or you already have a criminal record, we can help. Contact us today for a confidential consultation with an experienced New Jersey theft defense lawyer.