If police have charged you with shoplifting, it’s understandable if you’re scared. You can face stiff penalties, including jail time. There are also other consequences, such as the possible loss of your job, your license, and possibly even relationships.
You need a team of skilled New Jersey shoplifting attorneys who will work passionately to obtain the best possible outcome.
That’s precisely what you’ll get if you turn to Cohen & Bernstein, LLC. Our New Jersey shoplifting attorneys will pursue every possible avenue so you can put this unfortunate chapter of your life behind you and move on.
Please schedule a confidential consultation by using our online contact form or calling (888) 872-2898.
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Why Choose Our New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyers?
The New Jersey shoplifting attorneys with Cohen & Bernstein, LLC know clients don’t want to face the complexities of the legal system alone. When you choose our firm, we’ll be with you every step of the way, always keeping you informed.
You can count on us to be dedicated to your support, answering all your questions, and giving your case the attention it deserves.
Our office is conveniently located at 1360 Clifton Ave., near the intersection of Clifton and Allwood Road. We’re very close to the Upper Montclair Country Club and the Social Security Administration building. While you’re welcome to come into our office, we also offer virtual consultations.
Categories of Shoplifting in New Jersey
New Jersey law divides different types of shoplifting offenses into five categories. Here’s a brief look at each.
Purposely Taking Merchandise
Purposely taking merchandise is the most straightforward form of shoplifting. It occurs when someone intentionally removes or attempts to remove merchandise from a store without paying for it.
This offense involves clear intent to deprive the retailer of the item’s value. The act constitutes shoplifting under New Jersey law, whether the merchandise is concealed, carried away, or otherwise taken.
Concealment
Concealment refers to the act of hiding merchandise with the intent to steal it. This can involve concealing items inside clothing or bags or hiding them in other store areas. Even if they don’t physically remove the merchandise from the premises, the law considers the act of concealing items as having the intent to steal.
Altering or Transferring a Price Tag
Altering or transferring a price tag involves tampering with or changing the merchandise price to pay less than its actual value. This can include switching price tags between items, removing or defacing price labels, or otherwise manipulating pricing information to deceive the retailer at the time of purchase.
Transferring Merchandise to Another Container
This offense involves placing items in a different package or container, intending to steal them. Examples include transferring merchandise to a different box, bag, or packaging material to avoid detection or payment at the register.
Even if the original packaging remains in the store, transferring merchandise to another container with the intent to steal constitutes shoplifting.
Under-ringing of Merchandise
Under-ringing of merchandise occurs when a cashier intentionally scans or rings up items at a lower price than their actual value or fails to scan items altogether, intending to deprive the retailer of the total value of the merchandise.
This form of shoplifting involves fraudulent manipulation of the checkout process to obtain goods at a reduced price or without payment.
Penalties for Shoplifting in New Jersey
As mentioned earlier, New Jersey law establishes significant penalties for shoplifting.
The penalty depends on the value of the stolen property.
- Property value less than $200 – A jail sentence of up to six months and a maximum $1,000 fine.
- Property value $200-$500 – Up to 18 months in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine.
- Property value $500-$75,000 – Up to five years in prison and a maximum $15,000 fine.
- Property value $75,000 and up – As many as ten years in prison and a maximum $150,000 fine.
Other Consequences of a Shoplifting Conviction
Beyond legal penalties, a shoplifting conviction can have significant and lasting consequences that extend into various aspects of an individual’s life. These consequences can affect a person’s personal, professional, and social lives, often creating challenges that persist long after the case ends.
These are just a few of those consequences.
Employment Opportunities
A shoplifting conviction can negatively impact future employment opportunities. Many employers require background checks before hiring applicants. A criminal record, especially if the crime is theft-related, may disqualify an individual from certain positions.
A conviction can make it impossible for someone to find a position requiring handling money or merchandise, such as those in retail or finance.
Also, some industries, such as law enforcement or childcare, may have strict regulations regarding criminal history that can hinder job prospects for individuals with shoplifting convictions.
Professional Licensing
Certain professions require professional licensing or certification, and a shoplifting conviction can jeopardize an individual’s ability to obtain or maintain licensure in their chosen field. Industries such as healthcare, law, finance, and real estate often have stringent ethical and moral character requirements for licensure.
A shoplifting conviction may raise concerns about an individual’s trustworthiness and moral fitness, potentially leading licensing boards to deny or revoke professional licenses.
Educational Opportunities
A shoplifting conviction can also impact educational opportunities. Some colleges and universities perform background checks as part of the admissions process, and a criminal record may affect an applicant’s chances of acceptance.
Students with criminal convictions may also face challenges accessing financial aid or scholarships, limiting their ability to pursue higher education and advance their career prospects.
Please Contact a New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer from Cohen & Bernstein, LLC Immediately
As you can see, a shoplifting charge can be high stakes. You have a lot on the line, so you need the most effective New Jersey criminal defense attorneys you can find.
At Cohen & Bernstein, LLC, we know shoplifting cases require careful examination of the facts and legal nuances to develop effective defense strategies. These strategies may include challenging the prosecution’s evidence, asserting constitutional rights, and exploring potential mitigating factors.
You can rest assured we’ll work relentlessly to reduce your charges or clear you of them entirely. Please schedule a consultation as soon as possible by calling (888) 872-2898 or contacting us online.
Cohen & Bernstein, LLC – Clifton Office
1360 Clifton Ave Suite 309
Clifton, NJ 07012
Ph: (888) 872-2898