Jackson Shoplifting Attorney

Attorneys Defending Shoplifting Charges in Jackson, New Jersey

Jackson Township, New Jersey, is comprised of 60,000 residents and 100 square miles, and known as the “gateway to the Jersey Shore.” The town has something for everyone, whether you are just passing through or planning to stay for a while. For many visitors, the Premium Outlets, big box stores, grocery stores, and the Dollar Store are often stopping points along the way to their destination. Often, residents and passersby wind up with more than they bargained for when they end up arrested for shoplifting. Because of the residential and economic growth over the last few decades, the Jackson Police Department has armed themselves with 88 full-time officers. These officers are ready, willing, and able to arrest you for shoplifting. Depending on the value of the merchandise involved in your case, you may be charged with a disorderly persons offense, third degree, fourth degree, or second degree crime in the township of Jackson. Under any of these circumstances, a conviction in Jackson Municipal Court or Ocean County Superior Court could expose you to serious penalties. If you have been charged with shoplifting in Jackson, call the experienced defense lawyers at William Proetta Criminal Law to discuss your case in a free consultation. Our local Jackson NJ shoplifting attorneys are well-versed in the laws and defenses that may be applicable to your case and we are here to help. Simply call (848) 238-2100 or contact us online for your free consultation.

Facing Shoplifting Charges in Jackson NJ

Shoplifting is a crime in New Jersey, codified in section N.J.S.A. 2C: 20-11. According to the law, anyone who steals, conceals, or attempts to remove merchandise from a store without providing the retailer with the full value of the item, can be charged with the offense of shoplifting. Notably, you can be charged with shoplifting for doing it on your own or as part of a conspiracy if joined by others. Another variation of shoplifting is returning stolen items to the stores in exchange for a full cash refund that you are not actually entitled to. Returning items to the store that you did not purchase is considered a form of shoplifting and your chances of being caught are even higher in areas where there is not a high crime rate. This is because, often, the retailers that accept returns without receipts will require your license or some form of identification before giving you cash. Over time, the retailer may catch on to the theft by reviewing camera footage, and checking your ID, to identify and have you arrested for shoplifting.

Punishment for Jackson Shoplifting Offenses

Depending on the value of the items involved in your shoplifting case, you will either be charged with an indictable crime (felony) or a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor). If the amount that you allegedly gained in exchange for the faulty return or shoplifted item is less than $200, you will be charged with a disorderly persons offense. All disorderly persons offenses in Jackson Township are heard in Jackson Municipal Court located at 102 Jackson Drive. While not a felony, you can be sentenced to 6 months in jail and $1,000 in fines if convicted. If the full retail value of the items that you allegedly took exceeds $200, you may be charged with an indictable crime, also known as a felony.

All indictable crimes in Jackson are heard in the Ocean County Superior Court located at 120 Hooper Avenue in Toms River. Generally, the degree of an indictable crime for shoplifting is dependent upon the aggregate amount of the items involved in a particular case. Each degree of an indictable crime permits a state prison term to be imposed for those convicted. The degrees of crimes and permissible sentences under N.J.S.A. 2C: 20-11 are as follows. Fourth degree shoplifting of merchandise with a value of $200-$500, is punishable by 12-18 months in state prison and up to $10,00 in fines. Third degree crimes for shoplifting apply when the merchandise is valued between $500-$75,000. In these cases, the potential penalties include 3-5 years in state prison and up to $15,000 in fines. The most serious form of shoplifting, a second degree crime, is applicable when the value of the merchandise meets or exceeds $75,000 or more. A conviction for 2nd degree shoplifting could lead to 5-10 years in state prison and up to $150,000 in fines.

Notably, for shoplifting charges, there can be mandatory sentences under some circumstances. Mandatory means that the judge must impose the sentence if certain facts are present. For example, if you plead to or are convicted of a shoplifting offense and you have been convicted of shoplifting at least twice before, the judge is required to send you to jail for a minimum of 90 days. Similarly, any conviction for shoplifting will result in an order to perform community service, specifically, a minimum of ten days for a first offense, a minimum of 15 days for a second offense, and a maximum of 25 days for a third or additional offense.

Charged with Shoplifting in Jackson, What are my Options?

Just as there are mandatory penalties if convicted in certain shoplifting situations, there are programs designed to help you forego a conviction. Both the Municipal and Superior Courts in New Jersey have programs available to first offenders seeking to avoid convictions. In a municipal court shoplifting case, this program is known as conditional dismissal. If you have never been convicted of an offense before, the court may allow you to take advantage of the conditional dismissal program by ordering you into the program and dismissing the charges if certain conditions are met over time. Some conditions may include paying back the store for any loss sustained and refraining from criminal activity.

In the Superior Court, a similar program is available known as Pre-trial Intervention. Pretrial Intervention, referred to as PTI, allows the court to dismiss your shoplifting charges if you satisfy all the conditions within a time frame of 12-36 months. Of course, PTI may not be right for you, and there are other ways that you can successfully defend against the charge of shoplifting. Our attorneys have experience litigating shoplifting matters in Jackson and throughout Ocean County. Let us review the facts of your case and identify potential opportunities that you may have to get the charges dismissed. You can call our office at (848) 238-2100 or send us a message if you would like a free consultation with a knowledgeable Jackson shoplifting defense lawyer today.