Princeton NJ Theft Offense Lawyer

There are a gamut of theft offenses that an individual can be charged with in Princeton New Jersey or another municipality in Mercer County. While shoplifting in Princeton is one of the more common theft charges in the community, there are an endless number of other violations that arise from time to time including burglary, receiving stolen property, credit card theft and bad checks. A conviction for any variety of Princeton theft offense carries with it a record for stealing so hiring a skilled lawyer is important if you want to avoid the impairment of your future.

The best chance of avoiding the stigma of a criminal record is by fighting the offense with a skilled Princeton NJ theft offense attorney like those at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. Our defense team consists of accomplished lawyers and former prosecutors who have been defending burglary, writing a bad check, receiving stolen property, credit card theft or other charges in Princeton Municipal Court and in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court in Trenton. An attorney is available 24/7 to talk to you in our Princeton office, so call (609) 683-8102 for a free consultation.

Princeton Theft Charge

There are many forms of theft that are filed by privates citizens and members of the Princeton Police Department. The lawyers at our firm defend all of these cases including those involving a charge for:

• Burglary
• Theft of Movable Property
• Bad Checks
• Credit Card Theft
• Identity Theft
• Robbery
• Shoplifting
• Forgery
• Theft of Services
• Theft by Deception

The elements of theft offenses prosecutors must prove by competent evidence to convict someone include each of the following: Taking or exercising control over property Belonging to another person or entity Without having the consent or permission of the owner. Your intent was to deprive the owner of the property

If your lawnmower breaks and you take your neighbor’s mower with getting permission, you might not be committing a theft if your intention is to mow your lawn and return the mower. The missing element is the intent to deprive the owner of the property. Our attorneys take the time to analyze the facts of a particular case and devise the most effective a defense strategy to challenge the evidence offered by prosecutors is why they have a well-earned reputation as dedicated advocates committed to obtaining a favorable outcome for the people they represent.

Grading of Theft Offenses in Princeton New Jersey

A Princeton theft offense can be either an indictable offense (i.e. second, third or fourth degree crime) or a disorderly persons offense depending upon the value of the property taken. Grading, or determining the severity of the offense, is typically determined based on the value of the property stolen. The grading of theft charges is as follows:

• Crime of the second degree: Property valued at $75,000 or more
• Crime of the third degree: Property valued between $500 to less than $75,000
• Crime of the fourth degree: Property valued at $200 but less than $500
• Disorderly persons offense: Property valued at less than $200

Please note that this breakdown does not apply in cases like identity theft, robbery, burglary and credit card theft.

Penalties for a Princeton Theft Charges

The penalties at the time of sentencing for a Princeton theft offens vary with the grade of charge. The penalties for each grade of theft are as follows:

• Crimes of the second degree: Five to 10 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines
• Crimes of the third degree: Up to five years in prison and fines up to $15,00
• Crimes of the fourth degree: Eighteen months in prison and a fine up to $10,000
• Disorderly persons offenses: Up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,000

There is, however, an alternative to these harsh penalties. Our attorneys explore anything offered under the law that could benefit you. One option that might be available as an alternative to a conviction and the penalties and criminal record associated with it is a diversion program.

If you are eligible, and the court and prosecutor assigned to your case agree, you can be allowed to resolve your case through Pretrial Intervention or Conditional Dismissal. If a year of supervision/probation is successfully completed, the theft charges are dismissed. You not only avoid the penalties but there is no record of conviction to impair your ability to get a job or otherwise affect your life in the future.

Princeton NJ Theft Offense Attorney

A Princeton NJ theft offense attorney from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can ensure that your best opportunities for avoiding a conviction are exploited. Our Princeton Criminal Lawyers achieve these results utilizing our century in practice defending theft and fraud related charges in Mercer County and throughout the state. If you believe you are under investigation for a theft offense or if you have already been arrested, contact us today to find out what a lawyer on our staff can do to help you. Attorneys are available to assist you immediately at (609) 683-8102.