Experienced And Knowledgeable Criminal Defense Lawyer Fights Theft Charges Including Shoplifting In Voorhees, Burlington County And Throughout South Jersey
Many people believe shoplifting is a victimless crime in that people don’t get hurt when someone takes something from a store and doesn’t pay for it. The truth is that people do get hurt. The business owner loses money. Consumers get hurt because the costs of goods rise. Perhaps most importantly, the person charged with shoplifting faces serious consequences if convicted. Shoplifting is a charge that should never be taken lightly in New Jersey.
If you or someone you know are facing shoplifting charges in Camden or Burlington counties, you need a criminal defense lawyer who will defend your rights and your freedom. Even if the amount stolen has relatively small financial value, New Jersey laws attach stiff fines and even jail time to shoplifting convictions. Contact me, attorney Stephen R. Piper, today for a free consultation about your shoplifting charges.
Facing Stolen Property Charges In Camden County? Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyer Will Fight Shoplifting Charges.
These days, you can rest assured that all businesses, from the smallest mom-and-pops to big-box stores and shopping malls use sophisticated surveillance methods to weed out shopliftings. Mystery shoppers and undercover security personnel are on patrol in stores all the time, keeping a watchful eye. Video feeds give management a birds-eye view of the store, providing evidence of illegal behavior.
However, just because there may be evidence that led law enforcement to charge you with shoplifting, an aggressive criminal defense lawyer can fight your charges. If you are facing charges associated with N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11, contact me right away to get your questions answered and learn your defense options.
Penalties For Shoplifting In New Jersey
- Second-degree shoplifting: Items stolen have a retail value of more than $75,000.
- Third-degree shoplifting: The retail value of items stolen is more than $500 but less than $75,000.
- Fourth-degree shoplifting: The retail value of the merchandise stolen is more than $200 but less than $500.
- Disorderly persons offense: The retail value of the goods stolen is less than $200. This includes a $1 candy bar or $199 worth of merchandise. The value of the merchandise you are charged with shoplifting is important because lower-value cases are often handled in municipal court, where cases are heard by judges and no indictment is necessary to proceed.
- Fines: For a first- or second-degree conviction, a shoplifter may face fines of up to $500, and for a third offense, $1,000.
- Jail time: New Jersey law mandates a 90-day jail term for third-offense convictions.
- Driver’s license suspensions: If you used a car in the commission of your shoplifting crime, a judge has the authority to suspend your driving privileges for up to two years.
- Consequences for public officials: If you are a public official and get convicted of shoplifting, you may be forced to step down from office.
- Civil penalties: In addition to fines and other consequences associated with a shoplifting conviction, a defendant may be forced to pay civil penalties as well. At a minimum, the defendant will have to pay a civil penalty of $150 to the merchant. Refusing to pay the civil penalty may result in court action.
With these forces working against you, it is critical that you have an advocate on your side who can help defend your rights. I have years of experience as both a prosecutor and a zealous criminal defense attorney, and I will fight your shoplifting charges.
Contact A Successful Haddonfield Criminal Defense Lawyer Today About Your New Jersey Shoplifting Charges
There are many reasons people may shoplift. In fact, there are about 27 million people who regularly shoplift in the United States. According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, businesses are becoming more and more savvy and focused on catching thieves. Over 10 million shoplifters have been caught in the past five years in the U.S.
If you have been caught stealing and are facing shoplifting and theft charges, contact me today about your charges. Don’t delay. You can reach my firm, The Law Offices of Stephen R. Piper, LLC, online, or call 856-333-3586 to schedule a free initial legal consultation about your case. I will answer all your questions and explain my flexible payment options.