Charged with Shoplifting at Watchung Square Plaza?
Have you been issued a summons for shoplifting in the Borough of Watchung? At the Watchung Square Plaza? If so, we strongly recommend that you speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your options. At Keith Oliver Criminal Law, we fully understand the stress and anxiety that most feel after they have been placed in handcuffs and ushered away in the back of a police car. For most of our clients who have been charged with shoplifting, this will be their first time ever dealing with the criminal justice system, which only adds to an already stressful situation. As you will see below, shoplifting is a rather complex offense in New Jersey and it actually covers a variety of potential conduct outside of what the general public thinks of when they think of a shoplifting offense. If you have been issued a summons for shoplifting, theft of moveable property, theft by deception, receiving stolen property or any other theft offense for that matter, our office can help. If you would like to speak to one of the shoplifting defense attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law about your options, then please contact our Bridgewater Office at 908-533-1064. Our office offers free initial consultations, so if you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Arrested for Shoplifting in Watchung New Jersey?
The Borough of Watchung Police Department issues a significant number of shoplifting charges each and every. Which is probably do in large part to the Watchung Square Plaza, which is home to popular shopping destinations like Walmart, P.C. Richards, Target, Home Depot, Stop & Shop, TJ Maxx and Bed, Bath & Beyond. These stores spend a tremendous amount of money each year in an effort to revamp their security department so that they can combat would be shoplifters. That is just one of the many reasons that once they finally apprehend a potential shoplifter they tend to try and make sure the individual is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Shoplifting is hybrid offense in New Jersey, meaning it can either be considered an indictable offense (felony) or a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor). Since this is a hybrid offense, the case may either be heard in the Somerset County Superior Court, which is located in Somerville or the Watchung Municipal Court. All indictable offenses, which means that the value of the merchandise in question was in excess of $200 will be prosecuted by the Somerset County Prosecutors office in the Somerset County Superior Court. Conversely, all disorderly persons offenses, which means that the value of the merchandise is less than $200 will be prosecuted by the Borough of Watchung Municipal Prosecutor in the Watchung Municipal Court. If you have been charged with shoplifting in Watchung and would like to speak to one of our Somerset County criminal defense attorneys about your options then please contact our office at 908-533-1064.
Can I be Charged with Shoplifting?
All shoplifting offenses, regardless of the degree, will be governed by NJSA 2C:20-11B. As touched upon earlier, the offense of shoplifting encompasses a wide array of potential conduct. The potential conduct includes the following:
- The taking possession of merchandise;
- The carrying away of merchandise;
- Causing merchandise to be carried away;
- Transferring merchandise;
- Causing merchandise to be transferred away;
Shoplifting Attorneys in Watchung NJ
If you have been charged with shoplifting in the Borough of Watchung, if so, Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Our office is well aware of the consequences that can follow from a shoplifting conviction. As such we are dedicated to aggressively challenging the evidence presented against our clients in order to obtain a favorable outcome. If you would like to come into our Bridgewater office and discuss your options with one of our shoplifting defense attorneys then please contact our Bridgewater office at 908.533.1064. One of our attorneys would be glad to go over the specifics of your case and formulate a game plan that works best to suit your needs.