In New Jersey, shoplifting can involve any of the following acts:
- Taking merchandise without paying the full retail price
- Concealing merchandise with the intent to deprive the owner of its full value
- Altering, transferring, or removing the label or price tag of any merchandise with the intent to deprive the owner of its full value
- Transferring merchandise from one container to another with the intent of depriving the owner of its full value
- Under-ringing merchandise
- Removing a shopping cart with no intention of returning it.
Therefore, in New Jersey, a person can be convicted for shoplifting without even leaving the store.
If you are arrested for shoplifting, you may be faced with several serious penalties. The severity of the penalty is determined by the value of the merchandise. The chart below outlines penalties for shoplifting:
|
Merchandise Value |
Imprisonment |
Fine |
Type of Offense |
|
$75,000 or more |
5 - 10 years |
Up to $150,000 |
2nd Degree |
|
Over $500 and less than $75,000 |
3 - 5 years |
Up to $150,000 |
3rd Degree |
|
$200 to $500 |
Up to 18 months |
Up to $10,000 |
4th Degree |
|
Less than $200 |
Up to 6 months |
Up to $1,000 |
Disorderly Persons |
Shoplifting offenses arising out of Hillside, New Jersey are handled in either Hillside Municipal Court or Union County Superior Court. Hillside Municipal Court handles shoplifting cases in which the merchandise is valued below $200. Hillside Municipal Court is located in the Municipal Building at Liberty & Hillside Avenues. The Honorable Norma Garcia presides over the Court.
If you are arrested for shoplifting merchandise valued above $200, your case may be handled in Union County Superior Court, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth.
The law firm of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Mitterhoff, Grabas & Woodruff, LLC regularly represents clients with shoplifting offenses. Casey Woodruff, Gary Grabas, and Robert Rowbotham are former Prosecutors and have many years of experience handling shoplifting charges. Jon Bramnick is a Certified Civil Trial Lawyer with over 30 years of trial experience.
Free Consultations Available - Hillside Shoplifting Lawyer
If you have been charged with a shoplifting offense in Hillside, New Jersey, we may be able to possibly assist you. Our criminal defense attorneys are available 24 hours a day. If you would like to schedule a free consultation, you can contact us at (908) 322-7000.
