Shoplifting is defined by New Jersey law as “any action taken with the intent of not paying for – or paying less than the full price of – an item.” This could include putting something in your purse that you didn’t buy and taking it out of the store or removing/altering a price tag on an item in order to get a discount. Shoplifting comes with penalties depending on the value of the stolen item. If you or a loved one have been caught shoplifting and need representation, it’s time to call a New Jersey attorney like Leon Matchin. Your attorney will help you navigate the charges and try to get them downgraded. Read on for information about the different shoplifting charges.

2nd Degree Offense Shoplifting Penalties

A 2nd degree offense is the highest level of a shoplifting offense. This offense is given if the stolen item had a value of over $75,000. The penalty is a fine up to $150,000 and 5-10 years in jail.

3rd Degree Offense Shoplifting Penalties

If the stolen item costs between $500 and $75,000, it is a 3rd degree offense. A 3rd degree shoplifting offense means 3-5 years in jail and a fine of up to $15,000.

4th Degree Offense Shoplifting Penalties

A 4th degree offense for shoplifting is when the value of the item is between $200 and $500. This leads to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

Disorderly Persons Offense

In New Jersey, if you are a first-time offender and the value of the item was less than $200, you are facing jail for a maximum of 180 days, but jail is not mandatory. However, if it is a third or subsequent offense then jail is mandatory for a minimum of 90 days.

How Can a New Jersey Attorney Help?

A New Jersey attorney, such as Leon Matchin, can be very helpful. He will review your case and look for loopholes in the evidence to get the charges downgraded. For example, could the misrepresentation of the price be accidental? Was the person falsely accused? Did the client renunciate? There many different layers of evidence in a shoplifting case that will need to be reviewed.

Contact Leon Matchin Today

Shoplifting penalties in New Jersey are strict. Even the lowest level of shoplifting can be punished by jail. Whether you are charged with a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th degree or disorderly persons offense, it is a good idea to seek out a New Jersey attorney such as Leon Matchin. Leon has worked on many shoplifting cases over the years and is very experienced in analyzing evidence and cases to get charges downgraded. Call Leon Matchin at 732-887-2479 or contact him via email at [email protected] for more information about the services he can provide.