Shoplifting is a criminal offense that a juvenile can face in Somerset County NJ if he or she engages in six (6) different types of conduct. It is not a situation where a child can only be arrested if he is caught carrying merchandise out of a store in Bridgewater, Watchung, Hillsborough, Montgomery or Franklin Township. Someone can be charged with shoplifting for a host of acts tailored toward stealing or depriving a merchant of the full value of property. If your son or daughter was arrested for shoplifting, their case is going to be heard at the Juvenile Division of the Superior Court in Somerville. This is the only venue where theft offenses and other charges involving those under twenty-one (21) can be heard. The lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall possess decades of experience (i.e. over 100 years combined) fighting offenses like shoplifting. An attorney on our eight member defense team, perhaps one of our former prosecutors, in available immediately at our Bridgewater Office by calling 908-722-1011.
Shoplifting Charge in Somerset County
As previously stated, the law sets forth six ways in which someone like your child can be charged with shoplifting. The first and most common way is where someone purposely takes or attempts to take merchandise from store. This taking must be with the intent to deprive the merchant of the use or benefit of the property, or to convert the merchandise without first paying the full retail value. The second type of conduct constituting shoplifting exists is purposely concealing merchandise with the intent to steal or appropriate the item(s). There is a presumption that the accused intended to shoplift an object once he or she conceals it. The third type of shoplifting is purposeful altering or transferring a price tag, or removing or altering anything indicating price on merchandise. A fourth type of shoplifting involves purposely transferring merchandise from its original container to any other container with the intent to deprive the merchant of all or part of its value. The fifth variety of shoplifting is “under-ringing”. This pedigree of shoplifting usually requires either collusion with a cashier or employment in this capacity. The sixth and final form of this theft is purposeful removal of the shopping cart with the intent to deprive the merchant of the possession, use or benefit of it. Temporarily borrowing the cart is not sufficient, the State is required to show that the Defendant intended to permanently deprive the owner. Shoplifting is a second degree crime if the full retail value of the merchandise is $75,000 or more. Second degree shoplifting applies where the retail value of the goods involved is between $500 and $75,000. Where merchandise has a value of at least $200 but less than $500, fourth degree shoplifting is triggered. It is a disorderly persons offense to shoplifting goods with a value of less than $200.
Somerville Juvenile Shoplifting Attorney
An attorney at our firm has the skills you need to insure that your son or daughter escapes any life changing consequences. We have handled thousands of shoplifting cases with success on behalf of both adults and minors and are ready to put our knowledge and experience to work for you. At The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall our staff is committed to providing the highest quality representation and have assembled an exceptional defense team to accomplish this goal. Call us anytime 24/7 at 908-722-1011 for an immediate free consultation.
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