Elizabeth Shoplifting Attorneys

New Jersey shoplifting laws (NJSA 2C: 20-11) are no more strictly enforced than in Elizabeth, New Jersey. If you are charged with shoplifting in Elizabeth, you can be sure that the storeowner and Elizabeth police will vigorously seek your prosecution. A conviction on charges of shoplifting in Elizabeth can lead to a fine and jail time, together with a criminal record.

Elizabeth is New Jersey’s largest Urban Enterprise Zone, with tax breaks for shoppers. The Mills at Jersey Gardens, the Market at Elizabeth Street and the largest Ikea store in the metropolitan area attract thousands of shoppers to Elizabeth – along with shoplifters. If the Elizabeth police department charges you with a shoplifting offense, you should contact an experienced Elizabeth shoplifting lawyer AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. You will need the assistance of an Elizabeth shoplifting attorney to protect your rights. DON’T WAIT! Contact Todd Palumbo at Lubiner, Schmidt & Palumbo to represent you.

Shoplifting under New Jersey law can occur in any one of six separate actions: (1) removing items from a store intending to deprive the store of the item’s value; (2) hiding merchandise while in the store; (3) altering or transferring price tags to conceal the actual value of an item; (4) putting goods in a different container; (5) under ringing merchandise; and (6) taking a cart from the store premises with the intent to steal it.

The penalties for shoplifting in New Jersey include jail time and fines. The type of penalty relates to the dollar value of the goods purportedly stolen. New Jersey shoplifting statutes list the following penalties:

• if the value of merchandise is below $200 - disorderly persons offense with a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail;
• value between $200 and $500 – this is a fourth degree crime (a felony) with up to 18 months jail time and up to a $10,000 fine;
• value between $500 and $75,000; a third degree crime with up to five years jail time and a $15,000 fine; and
• finally, if the value is over $75,000, it will be a second degree crime with up to 10 years jail time and a fine up to $150,000.

Also, under New Jersey law a person convicted of shoplifting is required to perform 10 days community service for the first offense. A second offense means 15 days service and 25 days for a third.

Obviously, a conviction for shoplifting in New Jersey has serious consequences for the person convicted. However, there is also a heavy burden placed on the police and prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person accused of shoplifting actually committed the crime. Experienced Elizabeth shoplifting lawyers like Todd Palumbo know what police reports to obtain from the authorities, which stores have video taping systems and what the proper procedures the police are obligated to follow in their investigation of a crime. Todd has appeared in municipal and state courts throughput New Jersey defending persons accused of shoplifting and other crimes. He knows and works well with judges and prosecutors for the benefit of his clients. He will require the police and prosecutors to follow their procedures and hold them to account for any deviations from those procedures.

Experienced Elizabeth shoplifting attorneys like Todd Palumbo operate from a position of strength. If you are arrested for shoplifting in Elizabeth, Todd will be prepared to take your case to trial and make the state prove its case. Alternatively, in the right situation, Todd will negotiate a plea deal that is acceptable to you; he will never force a client to accept a plea deal unless the client is in complete agreement.

If you made a mistake or an error in judgment that resulted in charges of shoplifting in Elizabeth, contact Todd Palumbo immediately so that your rights are protected.