Theft Crime Lawyer in New Jersey

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New Jersey Defense Attorneys for Theft Crimes

The crime of theft is as old as mankind. There are multiple theft crimes described under New Jersey law — burglary, robbery, auto theft, extortion, shoplifting, etc. — each of which carries the potential for jail time and expensive fines for a conviction. Anyone arrested or indicted for theft or stealing in New Jersey needs to engage an experienced criminal defense lawyer to provide them with strong and dedicated legal representation.

The criminal defense team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is made up of attorneys with decades of experience in courtrooms throughout New Jersey. Our firm has earned a reputation for courtroom success based on criminal defense strategies that answer to our clients’ needs.

If you face a criminal charge of theft, let us help you. Individuals and families from across New Jersey in situations like yours are happy they turned to our law firm because:

  • We have selectively assembled seven skilled lawyers and a large staff of legal professionals to create one of the largest and most experienced criminal defense teams in New Jersey. We can put the time, energy and level of detailed planning into your defense that is required for a successful outcome.
  • Our attorneys are former New Jersey prosecutors and public defenders with experience in courtrooms across the state. We have the professional relationships necessary to negotiate reduced charges, lighter sentences and other agreements for our clients.
  • Our lawyers have decades of courtroom experience. We have earned our firm’s reputation for strongly defending our clients’ rights, incisively dismantling weak prosecution cases, and zealously presenting strong and persuasive cases to judges and juries.

We can move promptly to provide the help you need if you face theft charges anywhere in New Jersey like theft offenses in Gloucester county. With nine law offices located throughout the state, our team is available to obtain your release from custody and/or to meet with you anywhere that is convenient for you.

Call or fill out our online form now to meet with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. It is important that you understand what you’re up against and how decisions you make now may affect you down the line. We provide initial legal consultations at no charge, and often meet with clients and their families at night and on weekends.

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Common Types of Theft Cases Our Law Firm Handles

As prosecutors, public defenders and, today, criminal defense attorneys with decades of experience in New Jersey, our attorneys have been on both sides of the table for a wide range of cases involving allegations of theft.

Some of the types of theft cases the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall handles include:

Multiple factors will dictate the degree of criminal offense you will be tried for if you go to court for theft, including the value of property involved and whether there was violence involved in the alleged crime.

For example, robbery is a crime of the second degree, but armed robbery a first-degree crime. Shoplifting may be charged as a disorderly persons offense if the full retail value of merchandise allegedly stolen is less than $200. But as the value of merchandise increases, shoplifting finally becomes a second-degree offense if the full retail value of the merchandise is $75,000 or more.

The degree of offense you are charged with dictates the amount of prison time or fine you may face. According to New Jersey law:

  • A person convicted of a first-degree offense may face 10 to 20 years in prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $200,000.
  • A person convicted of a second-degree offense may face 5 to 10 years in prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $150,000.
  • A person convicted of a third-degree offense may face 3 to 5 years in prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $15,000.
  • A person convicted of a fourth-degree offense may face up to 18 months in prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
  • A person convicted of a disorderly persons offense may be ordered to pay a fine of up to $1,000.
  • A person convicted of a petty disorderly persons offense may be ordered to pay a fine of up to $500.

Because punishments for theft crimes vary so much, there is ample opportunity to negotiate a lesser charge or sentence. But prosecutors have a professional duty to seek a conviction. They will not and cannot point out opportunities to avoid being convicted of the harshest possible level of offense they believe they can obtain.

If your rights are to be fully protected as allowed by law, it is crucial to engage a criminal defense attorney experienced in New Jersey courts as soon as possible after being arrested for theft. Schedule a free consultation with the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at any of our nine New Jersey locations today for a prompt response to your needs.

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How Our Attorneys Can Help You Fight Theft Charges

A person maybe found guilty of theft if he takes possession of or exercises unlawful control over another person’s property without consent and with the intent to either permanently deprive the rightful owner of access to the property or to return the property only after being paid a reward or other compensation. It is also a crime to receive stolen property or to possess burglary tools.

Regardless of the type of theft charges, without a guilty plea, prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt to obtain a conviction.

Any defendant has a Constitutional right to a robust legal defense that thoroughly challenges the prosecution’s case and seeks the best available outcome. Our attorneys will provide that level of representation, fighting for your rights and a resolution to your case that preserves your freedom and your future.

Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall as soon as possible after an arrest or indictment for theft so we can:

  • Immediately seek your release from custody on your own recognizance (ROR) or for the lowest bail available.
  • Begin investigating the charges against you, including determining whether there was police or prosecutorial misconduct, or there are flaws in the prosecution’s case, such as:
    • Illegal arrest
    • Illegal search and seizure
    • Mistaken identity
    • Faulty suspect lineup
    • Racial, ethnic, socio-economic, gender, sexual orientation, age or other bias
    • Lack of credible witnesses
    • Faulty or fabricated testimony
    • Faulty forensic testing (particularly regarding DNA evidence).
  • Make pre-trial motions to have the court exclude disputable evidence from further proceedings.

Because of our attorneys’ experience across the state, we have the professional relationships required to allow us to reach out immediately and begin negotiations to have theft charges dismissed or reduced as part of a plea bargain.

If a trial is necessary, we will proceed with a strong and persuasive defense. Potential defenses to charges of theft that may lead to reduced charges, a lighter sentence or exoneration include but are not limited to:

  • Inability to establish ownership of the property in question
  • Inability to establish the defendant’s possession of the property
  • False value assigned to property
  • Lack of intent to permanently deprive the rightful owner of the property
  • Defendant’s honest claim of right to the property
  • Entrapment, coercion or other inducement by another for the defendant to commit the alleged theft
  • Mental impairment at the time of the alleged theft that prevented understanding of right versus wrong or the consequences of the defendant’s actions.

Theft cases often pit one person’s word against another’s when it comes to such issues as rightful ownership; agreement to transfer ownership, such as through an undocumented sale; or whether there was expressed or implied consent to borrow property that would have been returned in a timely manner.

Depending on the case, it may also be possible to make restitution to the alleged victim of a theft and persuade them to drop charges. Our attorneys and legal staff are skilled and compassionate negotiators who can make such overtures under the proper circumstances.

There are many opportunities to have theft charges reduced or dismissed before they go to court, and defendants who go to court for allegations of theft are found not guilty every day.

We may also be able to arrange a plea that leads to Conditional Discharge probation or Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI), either of which may be appropriate for certain nonviolent first-offenders.

Active military members and retirees accused of nonviolent crimes who have been diagnosed with mental illness or who have shown signs of mental illness in front of law enforcement, family members or friends may qualify for the N.J. Veterans’ Diversion program, which allows participants to avoid trial and a criminal record.

If you or a love on of yours has been arrested for an alleged theft, call the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. The sooner you get our legal team working for you, the sooner we can challenge the evidence against you or explore other possibilities for avoiding potentially harsh penalties available in a theft conviction.

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Contact Our New Jersey Theft Crime Defense Lawyers Today

If you face charges of robbery, extortion, shoplifting, stealing a car, or another kind of theft in New Jersey, exercise your right to remain silent, and call our experienced criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible. Our team will move promptly to prepare a defense that is aimed at the best available legal outcome for you.

Don’t risk the potentially severe punishment allowed by New Jersey law for stealing, or a permanent record of being judged a thief. Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall now for a free initial legal consultation.

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