Contact Our Hudson County Office To Speak To Defense Lawyers Who Are Highly Experienced In Defending Shoplifting Charges In Secaucus New Jersey
If you were charged with a disorderly persons offense, fourth degree or third degree crime in Secaucus for shoplifting, the criminal defense lawyers at our firm are well equipped to defend you. Theft of merchandise from a retail store like Kohl’s, Walmart, Century 21 or Home Depot has serious ramifications that include the possibility of a length incarceration, not to mention a criminal record for stealing that can impact your future. Hiring an attorney who is accomplished in defending shoplifting charges in Secaucus Municipal Court and at the Hudson County Superior Court is your best opportunity for avoiding the pitfalls of a N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11 offense.
We are the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, a ten lawyer criminal defense team that represents clients arrested for shoplifting in Secaucus and other municipalities in the local area. Most of the attorneys at the firm are former prosecutors with over 15 years experience litigating criminal charges like the one you are facing. Our lawyers are ready too put their 150 plus years in practice to work so that you enjoy every chance of an acquittal. If you would like to speak to a Secaucus shoplifting defense lawyer immediately, call our Jersey City or East Rutherford Office. We can be reached at 201-309-0500 anytime 24/7.
Shoplifting Offense in Secaucus New Jersey
Every shoplifting offense issued in Secaucus arises out of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11. This is commonly referred to as the New Jersey Shoplifting Law. An individual commits this criminal charge if they engage in any one of the six (6) forms of conduct outlined in subsection (b) of 2C:20-11. You may be convicted of shoplifting if, with the purpose to deprive the merchant of the true value of his/her merchandise, you:
- Conceal merchandise;
- Remove merchandise from the store;
- Swap or alter price tags;
- Change the box or container of merchandise;
- Enter into a scheme to under-ring merchandise; or
- Remove a shopping cart from the premises of the merchant.
It is pivotal that you be reminded that a fundamental requirement of every shoplifting case is proof beyond all reasonable doubt that you intended to steal the goods. If the municipal or county prosecutor handling your case cannot prove that you intended to commit a theft, they cannot convict you of shoplifting. This is one area of defense that our attorneys focus on to help our clients win their case.
You should also know how the penalties for shoplifting are determined in the event that your lawyer cannot secure a downgrade or dismissal of your Secaucus charge. The grading for a shoplifting charge, commonly referred to as the degree of offense, is determined by the retail value of the merchandise stolen. It is a second degree crime to commit shoplifting of goods having a value of $75,000 or more. Shoplifting is a third degree crime where the merchandise is worth at least $500 but less than $75,000. You face a fourth degree crime if you shoplift electronics, clothes, jewelry or other items with a value of at least $200 but less than $500. All of the aforesaid degrees of crime are indictable felonies that can only be handled at the Hudson County Superior Court which happens to be directly across from our office on Newark Avenue. Shoplifting is a disorderly persons offense that is heard in Secaucus Municipal Court when the value of the merchandise is less than $200. The chart below outlines the penalties that apply to each of these categories of shoplifting.
Grade | Monetary Penalty | Period of Incarceration |
| Disorderly Persons Offense | Up to $1,000 Fine $100 VCCB $75 SNSF $33 Court Costs | Up to 6 Months in Jail |
| Fourth Degree | Up to $10,000 Fine $100 VCCB $75 SNSF $33 Court Costs | Up to 18 Months in Prison |
| Third Degree | Up to $15,000 Fine $100 VCCB $75 SNSF $33 Court Costs | Up to 5 Years in Prison |
| Second Degree | Up to $150,000 Fine $100 VCCB $75 SNSF $33 Court Costs | 5-10 Years in Prison |
| Shoplifting Turned Robbery | Up to $150,000 (2nd Degree); Up to $200,000 (1st Degree) $100 VCCB $75 SNSF $33 Court Costs | 5-10 for Second Degree & 10-20 for First Degree |
An individual is also obligated to perform community service if they are convicted of shoplifting. The requirements is at least 10 days for a first offense, at least 15 days for a second offense and up to 25 days for a third or subsequent offense.
Diversion of Your Secaucus Shoplifting Charge. A shoplifter can avoid a conviction and criminal record if they are a first time offender and are successful in completing either the Conditional Dismissal or Pretrial Intervention Program. These are commonly referred to as diversions and allow someone to avert prosecution by agreeing to complete a period of probation. Provided the applicant has no new arrests and adheres to any other conditions of their supervision (e.g. remain drug free, complete community service and pay all assessments), their shoplifting arrest never results in a conviction.
Shoplifting Defense Attorneys in Secaucus NJ
The problems caused by a lapse in judgment when someone commits shoplifting can be significant. You face not only severe penalties but collateral consequences such as losing your immigration status if you are not a citizen. The reason this occurs is because shoplifting is considered a criminal involving moral turpitude. Selecting the right lawyer to defend a Secaucus shoplifting violation is extremely important if you want to avert the negative repercussions of a 2C:20-11 conviction. The Secaucus shoplifting attorneys at our firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, possess the qualifications needed to ensure you have all the opportunity to escape a finding of guilt. To discuss your charges with an attorney immediately, call 201-309-0500. One of our lawyers is available around the clock to help you secure pretrial release, prepare for Central Judicial Processing or to just answer your questions.
