Facing a Shoplifting Charge in Freehold Township
Accused of shoplifting in Freehold Township? At the Freehold Raceway Mall? If so, we strongly recommend that you speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. With stores like Walmart, HomeDepot, Dick’s Sporting Goods, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, JCPenny, Macy’s, Sephora and Lord & Taylor located with in the township, it should be no surprise to hear that the Freehold Township Municipal Court deals with more than its fair share of shoplifting charges. As a result, the prosecution takes these charges very seriously and they tend to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law in an effort to deter would be shoplifters. As you will see below, anyone convicted of shoplifting could be facing a lengthy jail term, a felony criminal conviction, high fines, community service and significant immigration consequences as well.
Need to Consult with Local Freehold Attorney about Shoplifting Case
If you or a loved one has been accused of shoplifting in Freehold Township, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Since most shoplifting charges stem from either a misunderstanding or a simple split second lapse in judgement, we are well aware that for most, this will be the first time that you will be dealing with the court system. If you would like to speak to one of our criminal defense attorneys today about your options, then please contact our Freehold office at 732.858.6959. One of our lawyers would be glad to sit down and go over the specifics of your case and formulate a game plan that works best to suit your needs. As always, our initial consultations are free of costs, so if you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact us.
What are the Elements for a Shoplifting Offense in New Jersey?
NJSA 2C:20-11b is the governing statute in New Jersey for shoplifting offenses. It states in pertinent part:
Any person to purposely take possession of, carry away, transfer or cause to be carried away or transferred, any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the possession, use or benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant the full retail value thereof
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Shoplifting Charge in Freehold NJ?
Shoplifting can either be considered a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor) or an indictable offense (felony). The degree of the offense will be dictated solely by the dollar amount of the merchandise in question. So, depending on the degree, a Defendant could be facing up to a decade behind bars and a fine up to $150,000. Here is a chart that breaks down the different degrees:
| Degree | Value of the Merchandise | Prison Time | Fine |
| 2nd Degree Felony | Over $75,000 | 5 – 10 Years | $150,000 |
| 3rd Degree Felony | Over $500 but less than $75,000 | 3 – 5 Years | $15,000 |
| 4th Degree Felony | Over $200 but less than $500 | 18 Months | $10,000 |
| Disorderly Persons Offense | Less than $200 | 6 Months | $1,000 |
It is important to note here that shoplifting in an enhanceable offense. So, anyone convicted of shoplifting for a third or subsequent time must be sentenced to at least 90 days in the Monmouth County Jail.
Why Do I Have to go to Monmouth County Superior Court in Freehold?
Since shoplifting can be considered either a disorderly persons offense or an indictable offense, the charges may have to be transferred to the Monmouth County Superior Court for disposition as opposed to being heard in the Freehold Township Municipal Court. Anyone charged with an indictable offense (felony) must have their charges transferred to the Monmouth County Superior Court for disposition. With that being said, it may be possible at the Defendant’s Central Judicial Processing Hearing or Pre-Indictment Conference to convince the prosecutor that the charges should be downgraded to disorderly persons offenses and remanded back to the Freehold Municipal Court.
Here is what one of the many happy clients of Keith Oliver Criminal Law who was facing a shoplifting charge had to say:
Highly Capable and Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney
Living out-of-state, a member of our family had an outstanding warrant for drug addiction-related shoplifting charges as well as a probation violation charge. Attorney Keith Oliver was able to successfully resolve these legal issues with the best possible outcome. He is a highly skilled and professional litigator who easily establishes rapport with his peers and judges. He is a very personable and compassionate individual – both attributes essential in helping us through the legal quagmire. Mr. Oliver guided us through the process, always keeping us educated and informed. He worked diligently, patiently, and tenaciously to achieve excellent outcomes. Hiring Keith Oliver was the best decision we could have made. We are forever grateful for his representation, protection, and guidance. He is the best!!!
Local Freehold NJ Defense Lawyer who Handles Shoplifting Cases
Keith Oliver Criminal Law is a Monmouth County based criminal defense firm. Our attorneys have dedicated their entire careers to defending those accused of crimes like shoplifting. As you can see from above, this is a very serious offense and the penalties if convicted can be crippling. If you would like to discuss your options with one of our Freehold shoplifting defense lawyers then please call our Freehold office at 732.858.6959 or you can try contacting us online. Our attorneys are well aware of what a felony conviction for shoplifting let alone a lengthy jail sentence can do to someone’s life. Please do not take this type of charge lightly.