Shoplifting Attorney in Middlesex County
If you have been arrested for shoplifting in New Jersey then you now face serious penalties including community service, probation, thousands of dollars in fines, and the potential of mandatory incarceration. Shoplifting charges can arise out of array of different actions and behaviors and may be accompanied by other crimes such as Theft by Deception, Credit Card Fraud, Theft of Movable Property, Receiving Stolen Property and even Forgery charges. Examples of shoplifting include the use of stolen credit cards to fraudulently buy merchandise or the alteration or switching of price tags. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can challenge the state’s case against you and work with the prosecution in order to secure a downgrade or even attain a dismissal altogether. At William Proetta Criminal Law, our lawyers are dedicated to defending clients for criminal and municipal court charges such as shoplifting and related fraud and theft charges. We frequently represent clients throughout Middlesex County and New Jersey who have been charged with shoplifting in Woodbridge, Middlesex Boro, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, and Plainsboro. To speak with an experienced Middlesex County shoplifting defense attorney, feel free to contact our Edison office at (732) 659-9600 for a free consultation.
Our number one goal is achieving you the best possible outcome. For example, here is a review from a recent client whose shoplifting case we handled:
“Mr. Proetta represented me for a shoplifting charge which he got down graded to a lesser charge and a deferred disposition after 60 days of probation. He was totally honest and straight forward from the very beginning. He was also very professional and showed that he cared deeply about my future. Too bad they aren’t more attorneys like Mr. Proetta. I highly recommend him to represent anyone who needs a good guy in their corner of need. Awesome attorney!!!!!!!” – Former client
You can read more of Mr. Proetta’s client reviews by visiting his profile page on Avvo.com and feel free to contact us anytime to discuss your shoplifting charge. We provide free consultations 24/7.
New Jersey Shoplifting Charges N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11(b)
The New Jersey statute for shoplifting (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11(b)) is listed below, in pertinent part, for your reading convenience.
§ 2C:20-11. Shoplifting
b. Shoplifting shall consist of any one or more of 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.
Degrees of Shoplifting Charges in New Jersey
| Second Degree Shoplifting | Over $75,000 worth of merchandise | 5 – 10 years in state prison; incarceration presumed |
| Third Degree Shoplifting | $500 – $75,000 worth of merchandise | 3 – 5 years in state prison |
| Fourth Degree Shoplifting | $200 – $500 worth of merchandise | Up to 18 months in state prison |
| Disorderly Persons Offense Shoplifting | Under $200 of worth merchandise | Up to 6 months in county jail |
As the above statute enumerates, you can be convicted of shoplifting if you steal merchandise from a retail store or conceal the merchandise with the intent to steal. The latter does not even require the alleged shoplifter to leave the store. Moreover, many people are unaware that a shoplifting charge quickly escalates into a 2nd degree robbery crime when force is used during the process of the shoplifting theft. For example, shoplifting can become a robbery when a defendant exits a store with stolen merchandise, and when upon being confronted by a security guard, a struggle ensues. This is because the felony crime of robbery amounts to theft + force.
| Crime Involving Moral Turpitude “C.I.M.T.” If you are not a U.S. Citizen, you face additional immigration consequences because shoplifting is a C.M.I.T. These penalties include mandatory deportation or not being able to re-enter the country if you leave. This can apply to legal immigrants, green card holders, workers and family on visa, and illegal residents. |
Contact an Edison NJ Shoplifting Attorney for a Free Consultation
Shoplifting charges are often quite complicated and have many issues that must be resolved including intent, co-defendant implication, and the actual value of the merchandise. As founding attorney, William Proetta Esq., has handled well over one thousand criminal and municipal charges including numerous shoplifting cases. We will review and analyze the evidence of your case and work with the prosecutor on your behalf in order to negotiate downgrade or admittance into a diversion program such as Pre-Trial Intervention. We represent clients for shoplifting throughout Middlesex County and New Jersey including Perth Amboy, Cranbury, South Plainfield, Sayreville, New Brunswick, and Old Bridge. If you or a family member has been charged with the crime of shoplifting then please contact our office for a free consultation at (732) 659-9600.