Theft of Movable Property

Hamilton NJ Theft of Movable Property Lawyer

The cornerstone of most theft offenses contained in the New Jersey Criminal Code is the charge of theft of movable property. This charge is also referred to as theft by unlawful taking. This violation arises throughout Mercer County almost every day including in its most populated municipalities of Hamilton, Trenton, Ewing, Lawrence and Princeton. Irrespective of where in the county you were charged with theft of moveable property, hiring a skilled lawyer should be your immediate mission. You are looking at serious penalties and collateral consequences and an accomplished criminal attorney is going to equip you with the greatest opportunity to escape a conviction.

Our firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, is a defense firm comprised of eight highly qualified lawyers to help you successfully defend your theft by unlawful taking offense. You can have upmost confidence in our abilities given that our team includes several prosecutors and litigators with over a century combined experience defending clients at the Mercer County Superior Court in Trenton (e.g. second degree, third degree or fourth degree crime) and in municipal courts (e.g. disorderly peersons offense) throughout the county. Contact us by calling ur Hamilton Office, Princeton Office or Lawrence Township Office anytime 24/7 to speak to one of our attorneys immediately. A lawyer with the tools to thoroughly protect your interests is available now.

Theft By Unlawful Taking Offense in Mercer County

The law that comes into play in every Mercer County theft by unlawful taking offense is N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3. This statute, which is captioned theft by unlawful taking or disposition, provides that:

a. Movable property. A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully takes, or exercises unlawful control over, movable property of another with purpose to deprive him thereof.

b. Immovable property. A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully transfers any interest in immovable property of another with purpose to benefit himself or another not entitled thereto.

What You Need To Know About Application Of This Law. An individual must unlawfully take or exercise control over the property of another person or entity in order for them to be convicted under 2C:20-3. The conduct must also be undertake for the purpose of permanently depriving the owner of his/her property. If the taking is intended to be temporary, such as where someone is borrowing or using the property temporarily, this law is not violated. The classic example of this distinction is joyriding where car or other motor vehicle is only temporarily used rather than taken with the intention to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle.

Grading & Penalties for Theft by Unlawful Taking. The grading and severity of penalties for violating 2C:20-3 hinge on the value of the property stolen. Theft by unlawful taking/movable property is a second degree crime punishable by penalties that include 5-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $75,000 when the property has a value of $75,000 or more. The charge is a third degree crime where the property stolen is worth at least $500 but less than $75,000. Penalties for third degree theft of movable property include a fine of up to $15,000 and 3-5 years in prison. A fourth degree crime arises when the property taken is worth at least $200 but less than $500. Fourth degree theft by unlawful taking carries a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in prison. You can be sentenced to 6 months in the Mercer County Jail and fined up to $1,000 for a disorderly persons offense for theft of movable property. This grade of 2C:20-3 charge applies where property has a value of under $200.

Diversion Programs To Avoid A Conviction. You can avoid prosecution for this offense if you are a first time offender who gains admission into Pretrial Intervention (i.e. for an indictable crime of the second, third or fourth degree) or Conditional Dismissal (i.e. for a disorderly persons offense).

Trenton Theft By Unlawful Taking Attorney

The largest block of theft by unlawful taking charges are dealt with in Trenton because this is where the Mercer County Courthouse is located, the place where every indictable crime arising in the county is heard. Our lawyers routinely appear in this venue on charges arising throughout the region, including West Windsor, Robbinsville, East Windsor, Hightstown and Hopewell. If you are facing a felony case for theft of movable property in Trenton or a misdemeanor offense in a municipal court in the county, an attorney on our staff has the skills to fully protect you against a conviction. You are encouraged to contact our office anytime 24/7 for immediate assistance from a lawyer. Attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are available now to help you.

Additional Theft Offense Resources To Assist You