Charged With Shoplifting in Flemington, Raritan Township, Clinton Township or Another Municipality in Hunterdon County?
Criminal charges for shoplifting are prevalent in Hunterdon County despite the rural nature of this western New Jersey county. The municipality with the highest number of individuals charged with N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11 is clearly Flemington given the presence of Liberty Village Outlet Marketplace, Walmart, Costco, Home Depot and Lowes Home Improvement. Secondary players for retail theft in the local area are Raritan Township and Clinton Township. Irrespective of where in the county you were arrested for shoplifting, you are doing the right thing by researching attorneys. Representation by a highly skilled criminal defense lawyer will be a key factor in whether you avoid a record for shoplifting, the possibility of jail and numerous other collateral consequences.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is unlike any other firm that operates in Hunterdon County in terms of defending your shoplifting charge. We can offer you a team of ten (10) lawyers that specialize in defending criminal charges such as shoplifting, burglary and theft by deception. Most of our members are former prosecutors who have either served at the county or municipal level. Their collective experience spans over 200 years. If you are facing a shoplifting offense, we certainly possess the qualifications and commitment to present a potent defense so that a favorable plea or dismissal is obtained in your case.
To speak to a lawyer in a free consultation, call our Flemington Law Office at (908) 824-0855.
We defend shoplifting charges throughout Hunterdon County including in Flemington, Raritan Township, Lebanon, Union Township, Readington, Alexandria, Tewksbury, Holland, East Amwell, Lambertville, Bethlehem, Delaware Township, Kingwood, Glen Gardner, Hampton, West Amwell, Milford, Frenchtown, Califon, Bloomsbury or Stockton New Jersey.
Shoplifting Charge in Hunterdon County New Jersey
A shoplifting conviction hinges on guilt or innocence under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11. An individual can face a disorderly persons offense in municipal court or a indictable felony crime of the second, third or fourth degree for violating this law depending on the full retail value of the merchandise stolen. An individual commits shoplifting if, with intention of depriving the merchant of his merchandise or their value, they:
- Remove merchandise from the store
- Conceal merchandise
- Swap or remove price tags
- Modify the container, box or packaging
- Under-ring
- Remove a shopping cart from the merchant’s property
If the value of the items stolen or attempted to be taken is less than $200, then the charge is a disorderly persons offense falling under the jurisdiction of a local municipal court such as the one in Tewksbury or Readington. When the goods have a value of at least $200 but less than $500, shoplifting is a fourth-degree crime that can only be heard at the Hunterdon County Superior Court in Flemington. The same holds true for more serious grades of shoplifting like one that is a third-degree crime (i.e. merchandise valued at $500 to $75,000) or second-degree crime (i.e. $75,000 or more).
The penalties for shoplifting vary based on grade of offense. A disorderly persons offense for shoplifting carries up to 6 months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. A judge at the county courthouse in Flemington can impose up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for a fourth-degree shoplifting charge. Third-degree shoplifting can result in up to 5 years in prison and a fine that can reach $15,000. A second-degree shoplifting is relatively rare and triggers penalties that include 5-10 years of incarceration and a $150,000 potential fine. You should also know that an individual is absolutely required to serve at least 90 days upon conviction for a third or subsequent shoplifting offense.
Two diversionary programs are available to first-time offenders who have never secured this type of relief in the past. Conditional dismissal is the program that applies to a shoplifting offense falling within the grade of a disorderly persons offense. Pretrial intervention is the program that applies to indictable crimes of the third degree or fourth degree for shoplifting. An attorney that is knowledgeable in defending shoplifting charges can help you secure admission into either of these programs.
Shoplifting Lawyers in Flemington New Jersey
The aftermath of a shoplifting arrest can be an extremely confusing time. Hiring an attorney with extensive knowledge and experience handling these types of charges can eliminate a considerable amount of this stress. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has exactly what you need with a formidable crew of accomplished criminal lawyers that have been defending retail theft charges in Hunterdon County, especially in Flemington, for decades. If you would like the opportunity to speak to a lawyer who can answer your questions and discuss your options without obligation, call us at (908) 824-0855.
The defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall represent clients charged with shoplifting in Flemington, Clinton Township, Raritan Township, Lebanon, Union Township, Readington, Alexandria, Tewksbury, Holland, East Amwell, Lambertville, Bethlehem, Delaware Township, Frenchtown and elsewhere in Hunterdon County New Jersey.
