Shoplifting Attorneys in Manalapan NJ
Most of our clients that are facing a shoplifting charge in Manalapan will be dealing with the criminal justice for the very first time. We are well aware that this can be a very stressful situation for most. As such, at Proetta & Oliver we are dedicated to using our experience and skill set to make this process as painless as possible. So, if you have been accused of shoplifting at the Manalapan EpiCentre or at Target, HomeGoods, Marshalls, Wegmans, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond or Babies “R” Us and are summonsed to appear in the Manalapan Municipal Court, we can help. Shoplifting charges in New Jersey are governed by NJSA 2C:20-11 and as you will see below, if convicted, a Defendant could be facing high fines, a criminal record and jail time, even for a first time offender. If that was not bad enough, shoplifting is considered a crime of moral turpitude. In other words, anyone convicted of this offense could and most likely would have serious immigration consequences as well. If you would like to speak to one our Manalapan shoplifting defense lawyers about your options then please contact us at (732) 856-9959.
Proetta & Oliver is an experienced New Jersey Shoplifting Defense firm. Throughout our careers, we have handled hundreds of different shoplifting cases in courts throughout New Jersey, including the Manalapan Municipal Court. If you have been arrested and charged with a crime like shoplifting, possession of burglary tools, fencing, theft by deception, theft of services, robbery or receiving stolen property in Manalapan, let Proetta & Oliver help. We fully understand what a felony criminal conviction for shoplifting let alone a lengthy jail term can do to someone’s life. If you would like to come into our Middletown office for a free initial consultation today then please contact us at 800-463-0506 or email us. As always, our initial consultations are free of costs.
Do I have to go to Court for a Shoplifting Charge in Manalapan?
Since shoplifting is a criminal offense in New Jersey, court is mandatory. To further complicate things, since shoplifting can be either an indictable (felony) offense or a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor), someone charged with shoplifting could have to appear in either the Manalapan Municipal Court or the Monmouth County Superior Court, which is located in Freehold. The degree of the shoplifting charge will dictate not only what the potential penalties are but also where the charges will be litigated. The degree of the shoplifting charge will be dictated by the dollar amount of the merchandise in question. So, a Defendant’s prior criminal history or where the offense occurred is irrelevant for determining the degree of the charge. All disorderly persons shoplifting charges will be heard in the Manalapan Municipal Court, which is located at 120 County Road 522. Conversely, all felony level shoplifting charges will be heard in the Monmouth County Superior Courthouse unless they prosecutor’s office decides to remand the felony shoplifting charges back to the Manalapan Municipal Court. So, as you can see what once seemed like a rather straightforward crime can become very complex. If you would like to set up a free initial consultation today with one of our Manalapan shoplifting defense attorneys then please contact us at (732) 856-9959.
Can I Avoid Jail Time on a Shoplifting Charge in NJ?
The degree of the shoplifting charge and a Defendant’s prior criminal history will play a major role in whether jail time is a realistic option for a prosecutor. In fact, pursuant to NJSA 2C:20-11, a Defendant convicted of a third or subsequent conviction must be sentenced to a mandatory 90 days in jail. That is regardless of whether the “third” offense was for pack of gum or a diamond neckless. Here is a helpful chart that breaks down different degrees and what the potential penalties are if convicted.
Degree of Shoplifting | Dollar Amount of the Merchandise | Potential Penalties |
| Second Degree | More than $75,000 |
|
More than $1,000 but Less than $75,000 |
| |
More than $200 but Less than $1,000 |
| |
Less than $200 |
|
Manalapan NJ Shoplifting Defense Lawyers
So as you can see from reading above, shoplifting charges are not something to take lightly. If convicted, a Defendant could be facing up to a decade behind bars and a fine up to $150,000. If you have been accused of shoplifting in Manalapan, New Jersey at stores like Target, Wegmans, HomeGoods or elsewhere, the Law Offices of Proetta & Oliver can help. We serve all of New Jersey, including the Manalapan Municipal Court. So if you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact us at (732) 856-9959. Our attorneys are standing by to help assist in anyway that we can.