Contact Our Hoboken Or Jersey Office To Speak To One Of Our Former County or Municipal Prosecutors About Your Theft Charges
All theft offenses start with an allegation that the accused attempted or actually stole something of value from another person. The way they can end, however, is it a conviction for theft that severely impacts your ability to obtain employment, maintain your immigration status or obtain a professional license. A permanent criminal record for stealing is definitely something that you need to do your very best to avoid and a highly skilled Hoboken criminal defense lawyer is your best weapon. An attorney who is experienced in dealing with burglary, credit card theft, receiving stolen property and other theft related charges is going to provide you with protection against an unfavorable outcome.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is a major criminal firm with the qualifications to help you. We have more than 200 years of combined experience successfully defending people charged in Hoboken and the rest of Hudson County with shoplifting, burglary, robbery and other theft offenses. Our attorneys devote their practices exclusively to criminal defense and include former county and municipal prosecutors. They have a proven record of achieving dismissals and reduction in theft charges through aggressive and innovative defense strategies. Being arrested and charged with a theft offense can be unsettling but an accomplished lawyer like those at our firm can help you resolve your case in the most painless manner possible. To speak to one of our attorneys in a free initial consultation, call 201-309-0500.
Theft Offenses in Hoboken New Jersey
New Jersey criminal law includes several different forms of conduct as theft offenses, but our Hoboken theft offense lawyers have the experience and talent to provide outstanding legal representation for all of them, including:
- Shoplifting
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Credit card fraud
- Passing bad checks
- Theft of services
- Theft by fraud or deception
- Prescription drug fraud
- Receiving stolen property
- Forgery
- Auto theft
The general theft law is set forth at N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3(a) and the elements of proof are extremely similar for each and every pedigree of this offense. To prove theft of movable property under this statute, the prosecutor in Hoboken Municipal Court or at the Hudson County Superior Court must establish that:
- The accused exercised control over property belonging to another party;
- The conduct was without the consent or permission of the property owner; and
- Your purpose was to deprive the owner of the property that was taken.
Motions challenging the methods used by police to search for and seize evidence are only one of the strategies we use to challenge the prosecution evidence and weaken its version of what occurred.
Grading a Hoboken Theft Offense
The grade of a theft charge dictates the range of penalties that judges may impose in the event of a conviction. Some theft offenses are disorderly persons offenses, which means they are equivalent to a misdemeanor while others are indictable offenses, which are equivalent to a felony. The following offers an example of how value affects the severity of the offense:
- Taking property valued at $75,000 or more is an indictable crime of the second degree.
- Taking property valued between at between $500 and less than $75,000 is an indictable crime of the third degree.
- Taking property valued at $200 but less than $500 is an indictable crime of the fourth degree.
- Taking property valued at less than $200 is a disorderly persons offense.
Auto theft and credit card theft are indictable crimes of the third degree regardless of the value of what was taken. Burglary is always a third degree crime or second degree crime without consideration to the value of the property. Robbery is either a second degree or first degree crime.
Hoboken Theft Offense Penalties
With these limited exceptions, can be quite harsh and severe. The following are some examples of the types of sentences a judge in Hudson County Superior Court or Hoboken Municipal Court may impose:
- Crimes of the second degree: Five to 10 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $150,000
- Crimes of the third degree: Up to five years in prison and a fine as high as $15,000
- Crimes of the fourth degree: Eighteen months in prison and a fine up to $10,000
- Disorderly persons offenses: Up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,000
Theft offenses frequently arise out of poor judgment or desperation, so we commit ourselves to doing everything possible to help you to avoid the harsh penalties and life-long stigma of a criminal conviction. Our primary goal is a dismissal of the charges or an acquittal after trial, but we also investigate diversion programs offered by the state that allow you to avoid a conviction and a criminal record.
Hoboken Theft Offense Attorney
If you were arrested, charged or are just under investigation because you have been accused of committing a theft offense in Hoboken, you need sound advice and guidance from a seasoned criminal lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. Let us put our years of extensive experience to work on your behalf. You can call 201-309-0500 to speak to one of the top-notch defense lawyers on our team anytime 24/7. Attorneys are ready to answer your questions and address your concerns immediately.
