Piscataway Shoplifting Lawyer

If someone leaves the store without paying for something or changes the price tag to pay less than they should, they may face a shoplifting charge. When you are in this situation, acting swiftly to defend yourself against the government’s accusations is important. A Piscataway shoplifting lawyer could help you prepare a defense that may help limit the consequences of the charge on your life.

At our firm, we are aggressive advocates for those facing criminal penalties. We understand the tactics the government may use to bolster its case and possible arguments to use to push back against this. Our experienced criminal defense attorney consistently goes to bat for her clients, and could work to provide a solid defense in the courtroom.

What Counts as Shoplifting?

Under New Jersey Revised Statutes § 2C:20-11, shoplifting includes a variety of behaviors that involve wrongfully taking or paying less for goods at a store. For example, the following may count as shoplifting:

• Tampering with or removing a bar code or price tag
• Not ringing up all the person’s items at the checkout
• Taking a shopping cart from a store and not returning it
• Putting items into a bag (e.g., a purse) with the intention of stealing them
• Moving products around on a shelf so the person has to pay less than they should

For each of these, the government may need to prove the person did these activities with the goal of harming the store financially. For example, if someone forgets, in good faith, to ring up a case of soda underneath their cart, this may not count as shoplifting. But if they do so with the purpose of taking the beverage without paying for it, this may be an issue.

Shoplifting attorneys in Piscataway understand the nuances of these criminal laws. They can help the accused by explaining the charges against them and developing a strategy to defend them. For example, they may carefully review the security camera footage to determine what happened and find loopholes in the government’s case.

What Are the Penalties for a Shoplifting Conviction?

For those found guilty of shoplifting, the conviction can range from second degree crime to a disorderly persons offense. The grade of the charge depends, in part, on the retail value taken from the store. The court may look at all the merchandise taken by or with the help of that person to calculate the total retail value, not just what the individual had on them when caught.

The penalties for shoplifting depend on the unique situation and grade of the offense. Most people must perform community service, and the time they need to do so changes based on their prior shoplifting record. For others, they may also have to serve time behind bars.

For example, a first-time offender may need to participate in a minimum of 10 days. But someone with three or more convictions may have to do 25 days of community service and serve time in jail. A shoplifting lawyer in Piscataway could provide essential legal advice to those who want to understand the possible penalties they may face.

Reach Out to A Piscataway Attorney For Help With a Shoplifting Case

When you face shoplifting charges, a complex and sometimes confusing criminal proceeding is set in motion. During this procedure, you may have many questions about what to expect, how to prepare for what is to come, and how a conviction can impact your life going forward. A Piscataway shoplifting lawyer could provide pointed and timely legal counsel to those facing charges.

We are not afraid to stand up for you during the trial and fight back against the pressures the government may put on you. Contact us to schedule a consultation to get started on your case.