Charged With Shoplifting in Linden New Jersey
Linden is the home to major retailers like Walmart, Kohl’s, Target, Sam’s Club and Home Depot which make it a major target for shoplifting. Most individuals charged with shoplifting in the City of Linden face a disorderly persons offense. When the retail theft involves someone stealing $200 or more in merchandise, however, a Linden shoplifting charge becomes a felony indictable crime that can only be dealt with at the Union County Superior Court. Irrespective of the shoplifting offense offense you are facing in Linden, an attorney at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is well equipped to defend you. The lawyers on our staff have been successfully representing individuals arrested for shoplifting in Linden Municipal Court and at the county courthouse in Elizabeth and are ready to put their 100 plus years of experience into action on your behalf. To speak to a lawyer, including one of our former prosecutors, contact us at 908-272-1700. Attorneys are available to answer you call 24/7.
Linden Shoplifting Charge
A Linden shoplifting charge is filed under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11. This law establishes six situations in which someone can shoplift in Linden or another municipality in New Jersey. An individual commits shoplifting when he/she:
- Takes merchandise with the intention of depriving the merchant of its value;
- Conceals merchandise;
- Removes, swaps or alters a price tag or label to deprive the merchant of the true value of the merchandise;
- Switches the box or container of merchandise;
- Under-ringing merchandise at the register; or
- Removing a shopping cart from an establishment.
A theft committed under any of these scenarios in Linden constitutes shoplifting. If the merchandise stolen as a value of less than $200, the conduct results in a disorderly persons offense that falls under the jurisdiction of the Linden Municipal Court. Stealing merchandise with a value of at least $200 but less than $500 is a fourth degree crime that carries a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in state prison. Retail theft of merchandise have a value of at least $500 but less than $75,000 is a third degree crime that can result in a fine of up to $15,000 and up to 5 years of imprisonment. It is a second degree crime to shoplift merchandise with a value of $75,000 or more. A conviction for this grade of shoplifting triggers 5-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
Conditional Dismissal & Pretrial Intervention of a Linden Shoplifting Offense. These two programs provide for diversion of prosecution for shoplifting for someone who is a first time offender. Conditional dismissal applies to a shoplifting that is a disorderly persons offense. Indictable crimes for shoplifting may be diverted through Pretrial Intervention.
Popular Retail Locations For Shoplifting in Linden New Jersey
It only makes sense that the highest volume of shoplifting offenses in Linden New Jersey arise at major retail establishes. The most noteworthy locations for Linden shoplifting charges are:
A conviction for shoplifting at these or another location in Linden results in a criminal record that will follow you around for years and can certainly effect your ability to obtain employment, obtain citizenship or a green card, or even a professional license. It is therefore imperative that you avert a Linden shoplifting conviction if at all possible.
Linden Shoplifting Defense Lawyer
A Linden shoplifting defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can help you reach the best outcome of your case. We utilize over a century of combined knowledge to achieve the dismissal or downgrade needed so that you can move on with your life with minimal impact from your arrest. An attorney on our team will work diligently to get you the outcome that allows you to escape a record and all of the penalties that flow from a conviction. Lawyers are available at 908-272-1700 to conduct a comprehensive review of your case now. Contact our Union NJ Office to speak to one of our attorneys about your concerns.
