Paramus NJ Juvenile Shoplifting Lawyers
Shoplifting is one of the most common juvenile offense issued in Bergen County New Jersey. Towns like Mahwah, Paramus, River Vale, Garfield, Lodi, Palisades Interstate Park and Fort Lee have always had a high volume of juvenile shoplifters. Shoplifting is a very serious offense in New Jersey and if not handled properly can lead to lengthy prison sentences for any adult violators. With that being said, the juvenile justice system takes these charges very serious as well. Judges will not hesitate to scar a juvenile with a permanent criminal record if they feel that the juvenile is not taking the charges seriously or if feel that this is not a isolated incident. However, unlike the adult criminal justice system, the juvenile justice system is normally geared towards rehabilitating the juvenile and not punishing them. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has been successfully representing juveniles charged with shoplifting, theft, possession of burglary tools and receiving stolen property in towns like Elmwood Park, Englewood Cliffs, Saddle Brook, Hackensack and Fairview for over fifteen years. Here is some important information with regards to the offense of shoplifting and the applicable penalties for any juvenile convicted.
Juvenile Shoplifting Lawyers in Edgewater NJ: N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11
The prosecution must prove that the juvenile either:
- Removed a piece of merchandise from a retail store without paying for the said item, OR
- Concealed a piece of merchandise on their persons with the intention of stealing it, OR
- Modified a price tag and/or package with the intentions of stealing the item.
Applicable Penalties if Convicted:
The offense of shoplifting in New Jersey can be either a misdemeanor (disorderly person offense) or a felony (indictable offense). The degree in which you are charged with will depend directly on the amount of money in question. Here is the breakdown:
- 2nd Degree Shoplifting: More than $75,000
- Carries a potential 3 years in a Juvenile Detention Center.
- 3rd Degree Shoplifting: $500-$75,000
- Carries a potential 2 years in a Juvenile Detention Center.
- Fourth Degree Shoplifting: $200-$500
- Carries a potential 1 year in a Juvenile Detention Center.
- Disorderly Persons: Less than $200
- Carries up to 6 months a Juvenile Detention Center.
On a side note, if the defendant is eligible and defense counsel can convince the judge and prosecutor to allow the juvenile to receive the benefit of a deferred disposition, the juvenile can possible walk away from these charges without a criminal record. A deferred disposition is similar to the Pre Trial Intervention Program as if the juvenile completes the probationary period without violating any of the terms imposed, the charges will be outright dismissed. This is a wonderful opportunity for any juvenile facing any criminal charges. This will help assure that their encounter with law enforcement will not hinder their ability to go to college or get their dream job.
Montvale NJ Juvenile Shoplifting Lawyers
The Juvenile Justice System is run completely differently than the adult system, therefore it is imperative that you speak to an experienced juvenile criminal defense attorney immediately. Here at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall we have eight criminal defense attorneys on staff, all of whom have extensive experience in the juvenile justice system. If your child has been charged with shoplifting in Bergen County we can help. Please contact any one of our Bergen County Offices for a free initial consultation about your child’s pending charges.