Somerset Man Charged with Shoplifting
A 57-year-old man from Somerset, New Jersey, was arrested recently after allegedly shoplifting from a Target store. According to a news report in The Bridgewater Patch, the arrest occurred after authorities say they found the man with $638.27 worth of stolen merchandise from the store. The circumstances of the arrest or how authorities obtained information about the alleged shoplifting are unclear.
In any New Jersey shoplifting case, the value of the items presumed stolen will affect the severity of the charges a defendant will face. For example, under New Jersey law, it is considered a disorderly persons offense if the value of the items stolen is under $200. If the value of the items is between $200 and $500, it may be considered a fourth degree offense, which could result in jail time of up to 18 months. This offense becomes a third degree charge if the items are valued between $500 and $75,000. A third degree shoplifting conviction in New Jersey could result in up to five years in prison. These significant differences make it imperative to properly assess the value of the items stolen and to fight the charges in court.
It is common for shoplifting arrests to arise from honest mistakes. Leaving the store without paying for a few items can have devastating effects on one’s professional and social standing. Shoplifting charges resulting from seemingly minor errors must be taken seriously and fought aggressively in court.
The Princeton shoplifting defense attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein have decades of experience successfully handling shoplifting charges as well as other criminal charges in New Jersey. Our knowledgeable lawyers provide free case evaluations at 609-240-0040 to anyone facing shoplifting allegations. Call us today to find out how we can help.
