How Shoplifting Charges Affect Your Criminal Record

In New Jersey, a criminal record for shoplifting can impact your future employment and college enrollment. Those facing charges should immediately contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to build a strong legal case to have the charge dismissed or at least downgraded to a minor offense. A conviction can negatively impact a person’s reputation and future opportunities for years to come.

In the state of New Jersey, a person can be charged with shoplifting if they:

Concealed merchandise that is taken without the store’s knowledge.

The amount of merchandise that is stolen determines whether a Defendant will be charged with a disorderly persons offense or a second, third or fourth-degree felony. If a person steals less than $200 worth of goods, the theft will be classified as a disorderly persons offense. A person who steals between $200 and $500 will be charged with a fourth-degree crime. A fourth-degree crime carries a maximum fine of $15,000 and 18 months in jail.

If a person steals between $500 and $75,000, they will be charged with a third-degree crime. A third-degree crime carries a presumptive prison sentence of 3-5 years. A third-degree shoplifting crime can also be punished with a substantial fine.

When a person commits a fourth or third-degree shoplifting crime, they may be required to serve between 10 and 25 days of community service. They may also be required to pay restitution and/or have their driver’s license suspended. In addition, if the person possessed a weapon during their shoplifting offense, they will be charged with a robbery offense, which carries a more serious penalty and longer term consequences.

In some cases, a first-time offender will be eligible for a program called the Pretrial Intervention Program. If they successfully complete the program, then they will not have a shoplifting conviction on their records.

A skilled New Jersey Shoplifting Defense Lawyer will understand all of the many possible defenses in this case. They will fight to have the evidence in this case thrown out if it is flawed in any way. This could include how the police were able to detain the person or the lack of probable cause for their arrest. They will also work with the prosecutor to have the charge downgraded to a minor offense and avoid having an arrest or conviction on your record.

The Impact of a Shoplifting Conviction on Employment Opportunities

Having a criminal record for theft is a major life-changer. Even a misdemeanor conviction can impact a person’s future in many ways including affecting job applications, professional licenses, housing, and credit. Many states have laws that allow for a range of charges for shoplifting starting with low-level misdemeanors and increasing to felony offenses with higher penalties. For people who have been arrested for shoplifting, it is essential that they take action to get their case resolved and have the charge expunged from their record as soon as possible.

People who have been charged with shoplifting may not think that it will hurt their ability to get a job. However, they would be surprised to learn that a shoplifting conviction on a background check can be a deal-breaker. Many jobs require that the person fill out a background check and be honest about everything that is on their record, including arrests. Having a criminal record for shoplifting on a background check can be devastating, as it is considered to be a crime of dishonesty and dishonesty is not a desirable quality for a person who is looking to work in certain fields or positions.

While some employers are reluctant to hire people with a criminal record, others will simply not be willing to do so. The type of crime is also important because it is a matter of public knowledge and anyone can find out about the charge.

The length of time since the offense and the extent to which the offender has shown remorse and efforts to make amends is also important. In some cases, the offender can have the criminal record expunged through a process called “sealing” or “expungement.”

It is important for someone who has been charged with shoplifting to seek legal representation right away. There are many defenses to the charge that can be used and a lawyer can review the case to determine the best course of action for the client.

Many people who are charged with shoplifting have a temporary lapse of judgment. They are not necessarily bad people and they should not let the mistake ruin their entire lives. If you have been charged with shoplifting, talk to a New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney immediately. A skilled legal professional can review the case and do a separate investigation to see if there is enough evidence for a conviction, and whether or not the criminal records can be sealed or expunged from the client’s record. A successful resolution can be achieved in many cases, and this can help people to move forward with their lives after they have dealt with the negative consequences of a lapse in judgment. The best way to protect your future is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight for you. Contact the law firm today for a free consultation and to discuss your options. A criminal conviction will haunt you for the rest of your life, but you do have options.

New Jersey Shoplifting Prevention Programs and Resources

Many people think that shoplifting is a harmless offense, but it can have significant consequences if you are convicted. In addition to the embarrassment of having a criminal record, a conviction can ruin your reputation and make it very difficult to find a job. That’s why it is so important to hire a lawyer who has experience handling these cases. A seasoned New Jersey shoplifting defense attorney can help you fight the charges.

There are several different actions that can be considered shoplifting under New Jersey law, and the penalties vary depending on how much value was stolen. Some of the most common acts include: carrying away merchandise without paying for it, attempting to conceal or obscure an item, altering or removing a price tag, transferring merchandise from one container to another, and taking a shopping cart off the premises. Depending on how much the items were worth, shoplifting can range from a disorderly persons offense to a third degree crime in New Jersey.

A person can be charged with a shoplifting offense in one of six degrees based on the amount of goods that were stolen. The first degree of offense is a disorderly persons offense for goods that are valued up to $200, and the penalties increase from there. For example, stealing goods worth between $200 and $500 is a fourth-degree offense, which carries a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in jail. The maximum penalty for stealing goods that are valued at $75,000 is five years in prison.

In addition to the criminal penalties associated with a shoplifting charge, stores can also seek civil money damages from shoplifters. These can be quite severe, and they are often accompanied by a demand for payment letter that will require the accused individual to pay the store back the cost of the merchandise and any other damage that was caused.

Those who are under the age of 18 will not face the same consequences as adults for shoplifting, and they may be eligible to participate in a diversionary program that can result in the dismissal of the charges. The two most common diversionary programs are conditional dismissal and Pre-Trial intervention (or PTI).

If you have been arrested for a shoplifting offense, it is crucial to contact an experienced shoplifting defense lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled and knowledgeable attorney can review the evidence and fight to have your charges downgraded or dismissed completely.

Even a first-time shoplifting conviction can ruin your reputation, and it will be very hard to find a job with a criminal record. A seasoned attorney can also work to get the charges downgraded or dismissed, and you will not have to deal with the embarrassing and negative stigma that comes with having a criminal record. That’s why it is so important that you contact a New Jersey shoplifting defense attorney immediately if you have been arrested.

Lustberg Law Offices, LLC

Lustberg Law Offices, LLC

One University Plaza Dr Suite 210, Hackensack, NJ 07601, United States

(201) 880-5311