Shoplifting Offenses
Shoplifting 2C:20-11
Shoplifting Charges In Bridgewater, Watchung And Westfield, New Jersey
Criminal defense lawyer James A. Abate maintains offices in Bridgewater, Westfield, and Piscataway. As a result, Mr. Abate regularly represents individuals charged with shoplifting in Bridgewater Commons mall, the Westfield shopping district (Lord and Taylor, The Gap, Victoria Secret, Coach, Nirvana, Janie and Jack), the Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung (Kohl’s), and the Watchung Square Mall (Target, Walmart, Old Navy, Steinmart). Mr. Abate also handles shoplifting cases in Woodbridge and Hunterdon County. This is important because handling a shoplifting charge in a “mall town” requires special relationships with the municipal prosecutor, police, and store representatives. Only an experienced shoplifting attorney in Somerville, New Jersey, will understand how the laws work in your state regarding shoplifting cases.
Because we regularly handle shoplifting cases in Bridgewater, Hunterdon, Westfield, Watchung, and Woodbridge, we are capable of giving each case the expertise and attention it deserves, and have relationships with store security and law enforcement personnel to affect the outcome of your case. Mr. Abate is an attorney with over 10 years of experience defending cases in the municipal and superior courts of Hunterdon, Somerset, Morris, Middlesex, and Union counties, as well as in other local areas. He has been practicing as a Somerville shoplifting lawyer for many years now. So if you want to schedule an appointment with a shoplifting attorney in Middlesex County, call the Law Offices of James A. Abate at 908-643-7005 for a free consultation.
Shoplifting Statute
Shoplifting is governed by Title 2C, Section 20-11 of New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11). A shoplifting case can be charged in the superior court as an indictable crime or “downgraded” to the municipal court. An arrest or conviction to either offense can be fatal to future job or immigration prospects. Dishonesty is the biggest red flag that human resources managers and immigrations officials look to avoid, so avoiding a theft offense in your background is essential. To have the shoplifting charges dismissed, get in touch with a Somerville shoplifting lawyer right away. Shoplifting is graded and punished based on the retail value of the merchandise allegedly taken. The offense requires intent to deprive the merchant of the possession, use, benefit or partial value of the merchandise through any one of the following acts:
- Taking hold, carrying away or transferring merchandise for sale
- Hiding, concealing or converting merchandise without paying
- Altering, transferring or removing any labels indicating value
- Deactivating any anti-shoplifting or inventory control device
- Personally trying or conspiring to pay less than retail value
- Transferring from display or storage to another container
- Charging less or under-ringing merchandise at the register
- Removing shopping cart without consent from store
Anyone facing a shoplifting charge in New Jersey must get in touch with a shoplifting attorney in Piscataway, New Jersey, right away by calling 908-643-7005 for a free consultation.
Grading Offenses
New Jersey law grades shoplifting based on the item’s value. The seriousness of the offense increases inversely to a degree. There may be diversionary programs at each level, such as conditional dismissal or pretrial intervention. For more information, please see our article The State of Shoplifting or call a New Jersey shoplifting lawyer at 908-643-7005.
| 2nd Degree | Full retail value of $75,000 or more | Imprisonment of 5-10 years | Fine up to $150,000 |
| 3rd Degree | Full retail value of over $500 but less than $75,000 | Imprisonment of 3-5 years | Fine up to $15,000 |
| 4th Degree | Full retail value of between $200 and $500 | Imprisonment up to 18 months | Fine up to $10,000 |
| Disorderly Persons Offense | Full retail value of under $200 | Imprisonment up to 6 months | Fine up to $1,000 |
Fourth Degree And Disorderly Persons Offense
Fourth-degree shoplifting (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11c(3)): A shoplifting is a fourth-degree criminal offense if the value is between $200 and $500 and handled in the Superior Court. If the value is less than $200, it is treated as a “disorderly persons” offense and handled in the municipal court. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11c(4), shoplifting may be “downgraded” to a lesser offense or qualify for a less severe penalty unless it involves a third or subsequent fourth-degree offense. The difference in grade is significant. Fourth-degree shoplifting has a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and $10,000 in fines. A “disorderly persons” offense has a maximum of six months in jail and a fine of maximum $1,000. N.J.S.A. 2C:43-3c. Pretrial intervention and conditional dismissal may be available to avoid a theft offense from appearing on your background for a first-time offense.
Downgrading To Disorderly Persons
In addition to grade, punishment also depends upon the person’s criminal history. A first offense, for example, requires at least 10 days of community service while a third offense can require up to 25 days. This is in addition to imprisonment. Further, shoplifting generally cannot be downgraded to “disorderly persons” offenses except under the following criteria:
- Second-degree offenses can never be downgraded
- Third degree: value less than $2,000 and trial proof issues
- Fourth degree: at prosecutor’s discretion; however, not possible if repeat offender with three or more shoplifting convictions
If you have been charged with shoplifting under Section 2C:20-11, please contact us at 908-643-7005, by email to [email protected], or by completing the form under the “Contact Us” tab on this site. James A. Abate handles cases of this nature every week and wants to help you navigate through this uncharted territory. He has been practicing as a Piscataway shoplifting attorney for many years. We serve Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Morris, Essex, and Middlesex counties, and will provide you with the expert legal counsel and advice you need. Give us a call at 908-643-7005 to talk with a shoplifting lawyer in Cranford, New Jersey. We offer free consultation. Our shoplifting attorney in Union County will hear your case out and come up with a defense strategy to save you from the charges and penalties.
Get your questions answered – call me for your free, 20-min phone consultation 908-643-7005.