Whether you have been charged with shoplifting from the Home Depot, Lowes, Target or any other store for that matter in West Windsor, New Jersey, the criminal lawyers at Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. The penalties for anyone convicted of shoplifting in New Jersey can be severe but the collateral consequences can be worse. Having a criminal conviction for shoplifting on your record could seriously impact your ability to maintain employment, obtain professional licenses and could initiate deportation proceedings. As you can tell, these are serious offenses and as such they require the assistance of experienced West Windsor criminal defense attorney.
The attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law are well versus in handling these types of offenses. Our attorneys have been representing clients charged with shoplifting in not just West Windsor but courts throughout Mercer County for years now. If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys about your options, then please contact us. We can sit down, discuss the facts of your case and give you our honest feedback on how we can be of assistance. We can reached 24/7 at (609) 789-0779 and as always our initial consultations are free of cost.
Where Do I go to Court for Shoplifting in West Windsor NJ?
If you have been arrested for shoplifting in West Windsor, New Jersey then the charges will be litigated in either the West Windsor Municipal Court or the Mercer County Superior Courthouse. Where the charges are litigated will depend on what degree of shoplifting a Defendant is charged with. For example, if a Defendant is facing a disorderly persons offense shoplifting charge, then they will be forced to defend themselves in the West Windsor Municipal Court, which is located at 271 Clarksville Road. Conversely, if a Defendant is facing a felony offense shoplifting charge, then their matter will be litigated in the Mercer County Superior Courthouse, which is located in Trenton at 400 South Warren Street.
With that being said, it is possible for felony shoplifting charges to be remanded back to the West Windsor Municipal Court. If that is to occur, that means that the felony shoplifting charges have been downgraded to a disorderly persons offense shoplifting charge. Depending on the facts surrounding the charges, an experienced Mercer County shoplifting defense lawyer can contact the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office to try and convince them to downgrade the charged.
What Separates a Felony from a Misdemeanor Shoplifting in NJ?
The offense of shoplifting is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11b in New Jersey. As indicated above, what degree of shoplifting a Defendant is actually charged with will depend solely on what the dollar amount of the merchandise in question. So the store (aka the victim), a Defendant’s prior record or even whether or not violence was involved is irrelevant. Here is a chart that breaks down the different degrees.
2nd Degree Shoplifting Offenses in West Windsor NJ
- A Defendant will be facing a second degree shoplifting charge in New Jersey if the dollar amount of the merchandise in question is valued at more than $75,000.
3rd Degree Shoplifting Charges in West Windsor NJ
- In order for a Defendant to be facing a third degree shoplifting charge in New Jersey the dollar amount of the merchandise in question has to valued at more than $500 but less than $75,000.
4th Degree Shoplifting Charges in West Windsor NJ
- A Defendant charged with shoplifting in the fourth degree must have taken stolen merchandise valued at more than $200 but less than $500.
Disorderly Persons Offense Shoplifting Charge in West Windsor NJ
- In order for a Defendant to be facing a disorderly persons offense shoplifting charge in New Jersey the dollar amount of the merchandise in question has to be less than $200.
For more information on how to defend shoplifting charges in New Jersey please click the link or contact us at 609-789-0779 for a free consultation.
Shoplifting Attorney in West Windsor NJ
Being charged with shoplifting in West Windsor can be extremely stressful. However, hiring the right attorney, one who not only knows how to defend shoplifting charges but who also knows the ins and outs of the West Windsor Municipal Court can go a long way to alleviating the stress. If you have been charged with shoplifting, robbery, burglary, possession of burglary tools or possession of heroin n West Windsor, the attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. To schedule a free initial consultation today, please contact us at 609-789-0779 or leave us an email.