Shoplifting Defense Attorneys in Jersey City NJ
Being placed under arrest and charged with a crime can be overwhelming. Not knowing who to turn to for help can only add to an already stressful situation. At Proetta & Oliver, we are well aware of the stress that most feel when they have been issued a criminal complaint for shoplifting and summonsed into court to answer for the charges. However, we feel that once you are able to hire the right attorney, someone who is not only well versed in criminal defense but someone who is also familiar with the specific courts, it can go a long way to alleviating a lot of the stress. The New Jersey shoplifting defense attorney at Proetta & Oliver defend client’s accused of shoplifting from stores throughout Jersey City, including stores throughout the Newport Centre Mall. Some of the most common stores that we defend clients accused of shoplifting from include Macy’s, Kohl’s, JCPenney, Victoria Secret’s, Sephora, Lord & Taylor, Sears and the Bath&Body Works. The fact that Newport Centre Mall spends a tremendous amount of money each and every year on their security systems in an effort to reduce the number of shoplifters, it should be a good indicator that they do not take these charges lightly. In fact, these types of charges are usually prosecuted very aggressively in effort to send message to the public. Shoplifting is a serious offense and if convicted, not only will a Defendant be facing high fines and jail time but they could also have significant immigration consequences as well.
If you have been arrested and charged with shoplifting, fencing, possession of burglary tools, theft, robbery or receiving stolen property in Jersey City, the Law Offices of Proetta & Oliver can help. Our Jersey City shoplifting defense attorneys will aggressively challenge the evidence presented against our clients in an effort to obtain a favorable resolution. If you would like to come into our Jersey City office and discuss your options, then please contact us at (732) 856-9959. We can go over the specifics of your case and we will give you our honest feedback on how we think we can of assistance. Also, our initial consultations are always free of cost, so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Appearing in Jersey City Municipal Court for Shoplifting Arrests
Whether you have been arrested for shoplifting at the Newport Centre Mall or at other surround stores like the RiteAid, ShopRite, Target, Lowe’s, Marshall’s & HomeGoods or Stop&Shop, it is crucial that you speak to an experienced New Jersey shoplifting attorney about your options. Shoplifting offenses can be very complex. Pursuant to NJSA 2C:20-11b, shoplifting can either be a felony or a disorderly persons offense, which is New Jersey’s version of a misdemeanor. The degree of the shoplifting offense will not only dictate the potential penalties that someone faces but will also dictate what court has jurisdiction over the case. All disorderly persons offense shoplifting charges will be heard in the Jersey City Municipal Court, which is located at 365 Summit Ave, which also happens to be less than two mile away from the Newport Centre Mall. Conversely, all felony level shoplifting charges will be litigated in the Hudson County Superior Courthouse which is located in Jersey City at 595 Newark Ave. In order for the shoplifting offense to be considered a disorderly persons offense, the value of the merchandise must be less than $200. If the value of the merchandise is greater than $200, then the Defendant will be charged with a felony offense shoplifting. It is important to note here that it is possible to have a felony level shoplifting charge downgraded to a disorderly persons offense. If that is to occur, the charges will be remanded back to the Jersey City Municipal Court for disposition. If you have been charged with a shoplifting offense in Jersey City, New Jersey and you would like to speak to one of our attorneys about your options then please contact us at 800.463.0506. Our attorneys are available immediately for a free consultation.