Shoplifting Is No Joke If You Get Caught!
Are You Facing New Jersey Shoplifting Charges?
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Be Sure To Hire Experienced NJ Criminal Defense Lawyers To Handle Your Case
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Although some people might think shoplifting is not a very serious offense, the state of New Jersey doesn’t agree.
In fact, facing New Jersey shoplifting charges can be a very serious matter – particularly if you don’t have experienced NJ criminal defense lawyers by your side to help defend your case.
When hiring an attorney to handle your shoplifting case, you want to be certain to hire someone who has experience handling these types of cases. This is particularly true if the value of the merchandise you are being charged with stealing is valuable. This is because New Jersey law states….
Shoplifting is a second degree crime if the full value of the merchandise is $75,000 or more Shoplifting is a third degree crime if the full value of the merchandise is less than $75,000, but more than $500 Shoplifting is a fourth degree crime if the full value of the merchandise is less than $500, but more than $200 Shoplifting is a disorderly persons offense if the full retail value of the merchandise is less than $200
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The type of New Jersey shoplifting charges you are facing will determine the penalties that can be imposed and also if your charge will be handled in Municipal Court or in Superior Court at the County level.
This means you don’t want to hire a lawyer inexperienced in defending shoplifters  in Hopewell, NJ to handle your case if you are facing New Jersey shoplifting charges. Rather, you want an attorney by your side who has experience handling these types of cases and has a solid track record of helping clients avoid conviction or getting penalties reduced.
Generally for a New Jersey shoplifting charge, state law stipulates that…
A first offense results in a minimum of ten days of community service A second offense results in a minimum of 15 days of community service Third and subsequent offenses result in a maximum of 25 days of community service and a minimum imprisonment term of 90 days
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Of course, without an experienced attorney by your side, the results could be far more serious than these minimum punishments. Therefore, you should be certain to look search through the available NJ criminal defense lawyers and compare what each has to offer in expertise in order to ensure you select the right lawyer for your case.
This may seem like a lot of work, but truly the time you put into screening your lawyers will be well worth it when you finally get your day in cour
Originally published here.
Samuel Louis Sachs, Esq. attended Trenton State College and the National Law Center of George Washington University, and graduated with honors.
He has served as a Municipal Public Defender, a Municipal Prosecutor, and as a Municipal Court Judge from 1989 to 1998. Since leaving the bench, his practice has been devoted to drunk driving, motor vehicle, and criminal matters.
Mr. Sachs was named Municipal Court Attorney of the Year for 2007 – 2008 by the New Jersey State Bar Association. To learn more visit his website at www.samsachs.com