Alleged Serial Shoplifter Arrested in Fairfield
An 18-year-old Fair Lawn woman has been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting. According to a news report in The Progress, the young woman was arrested for shoplifting from the Target in Fairfield. She was flagged as suspicious following seven occasions in which she allegedly failed to scan items in the amount of $1,014.24. Target security officers took her into custody until the authorities arrived. She faces charges, but none of the missing merchandise has been recovered.
The amount of merchandise illegally taken will directly affect the severity of the criminal charges. For example, it is a disorderly persons offense to steal merchandise with a total retail value under $200, which can result in a six-month sentence and the penalties increase dramatically when additional items are involved.
It is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months of jail time to take between $200 and $500 worth of goods. If the items stolen are valued between $500 and $75,000, the defendant will likely face third-degree charges punishable by three to five years of jail time. Additional penalties include significant fines, community service, and the creation of a criminal record.
Anyone facing shoplifting charges would be well advised to seek guidance from a skilled attorney. It may be possible to fight the charges or have the penalties reduced. A knowledgeable attorney will know when to aggressively fight the charges and when to work with prosecutors to negotiate for reduced penalties. The experienced Princeton criminal defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of successfully handling shoplifting cases in New Jersey. Our shoplifting defense lawyers offer free case evaluations, contact us online or at (609) 240-0040.
