Acts of shoplifting are reported to increase during the winter holiday season. This may be for many reasons: an increase in foot traffic in brick-and-mortar stores; the temptation of more high-priced items featured on display cases; and the overall pressure to obtain high-demand items at this time. Well, with this being the case, New Jersey law enforcement and criminal courts are particularly strict with cracking down on shoplifting offenses during the holidays. So, without further ado, please follow along to find out whether shoplifting is considered to be a felony offense and how one of the experienced New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. can help you evade these potential criminal punishments.
Is shoplifting considered a felony in the state of New Jersey?
In short, yes, shoplifting may be charged as a felony offense in the state of New Jersey. However, this may heavily depend on the dollar amount of merchandise you are caught performing shoplifting activities on (i.e., stealing, changing prices, under-ringing, etc). That is, if you steal under $200 worth of merchandise, you may be convicted of a disorderly persons offense. But, on the other hand, you may be sentenced to a fourth-degree, third-degree, or second-degree felony offense if you steal between $200 to $500, $500 to $75,000, or $75,000 or more worth of merchandise, respectively.
What are the punishments associated with shoplifting felony offenses in NJ?
After being found guilty of shoplifting $200 or less in merchandise, you may be punished with a jail sentence of up to six months and a fine of up to $1,000. But stealing anything more than $200 may have you facing the following felony punishments:
- Punishments for a fourth-degree felony offense:
- A prison sentence of up to 18 months.
- A fine of up to $10,000.
- Punishments for a third-degree felony offense:
- A prison sentence of anywhere between three to five years.
- A fine of up to $15,000.
- Punishments for a second-degree felony offense:
- A prison sentence of up to five to 10 years.
- A fine of up to $150,000.
This is to say that, if a store has accused you of shoplifting and is taking the case to court, you may retrieve legal representation immediately. Notably, one of our talented criminal defense lawyers may fight for more lenient sentencing on your behalf. Especially if this is your first shoplifting offense, they may try to negotiate for probation or community service rather than prison time and fines. In an ideal scenario, they may get your case dismissed entirely.
In conclusion, you should know that one of the experienced New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers is here to assist you with whatever your legal issue may be at this time. So please reach out to us at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. today.
