New Jersey Theft Crime Lawyers

Theft Offense Attorneys in Clark, NJ Offering Comprehensive Legal Representation in Essex County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Union County, and Throughout NJ

When facing theft charges of any form, you need an advocate on your side who is committed to fighting for you. The New Jersey theft crime lawyers at Team Law have decades of experience practicing law throughout the state. With extensive experience that covers theft crimes of all kinds and from all angles, we’re fully prepared to provide the defense you need to confront the charges against you. 

Preparing to beat a theft charge in New Jersey begins with a free, confidential consultation. Contact us today to start getting the help you need. 

Theft Crime Charges in Clark and Throughout New Jersey 

Theft crimes recognized under NJ law take many different forms. Each type of theft offense involves unique elements that must be proven for a conviction. From our perspective as seasoned New Jersey theft crime lawyers, they also offer unique opportunities for potential defenses. 

Major categories of theft established under state law include the following. 

Theft by Unlawful Taking 

You might be facing charges related to theft by unlawful taking if you have been accused of stealing an item, large or small, from someone else. Unlawful taking can encompass any form of unlawfully exercising control over property with the purpose of depriving its owner or another person of the property. 

Often, this category of theft crimes considers the difference between theft of movable property and immovable property. Movable property encompasses any tangible property that can be transported, even if it takes multiple people or special equipment or modes of transportation to move. Items that may count as movable property for the purpose of theft crimes include: 

• Cash
• Jewelry and personal valuables
• Collectibles
• Electronics
• Furniture
• Automobiles

Immovable property includes any property that can’t be transported, either due to being fixed in place, such as real estate properties for which deeds may be stolen, or due to being intangible, such as investment assets like stocks. 

Theft by unlawful taking can be done covertly, openly, or even through the use of physical force or threat of violence. Robbery, shoplifting, pickpocketing, and other forms of stealing may all fall under the category of theft by unlawful taking. 

Theft by Deception 

Physically taking property isn’t the only form of theft. Using any kind of deception to obtain someone else’s property is also against the law. Deception includes actions such as:

• Constructing false impressions as to value, intention, or laws
• Reinforcing any such false impression 
• Failing to correct a false impression that influences the person in possession of the property 
• Standing in the way of the person in possession of the property acquiring information that would affect their judgment of a transaction of financial significance 

Any form of fraud may constitute theft by deception. Misrepresenting what a product does or its worth can be theft by deception, as can concealing pertinent information about the transaction and even falsely identifying one’s collection of funds as charitable when it is not. 

Theft by Extortion 

Crimes of theft that involve threats of some kind to gain the cooperation of the person in possession of the property can constitute theft by extortion. New Jersey state law recognizes as extortion threats that a person makes, on purpose, that involve: 

• The infliction of bodily injury 
• Physical restraint or confinement 
• The commission of a criminal offense 
• Accusations of a crime or offense against the victim or another person 
• Intentions to either testify or withhold testimony in a legal matter based on the victim’s compliance 
• Publicity of any secret, true or false, that seeks to subject the victim to ridicule or contempt or to damage their credit or business reputation
• Instigation of or continuation of boycotts or strikes if the victim does not comply
• Intentions to take or withhold some action in the role of an official or to influence an official to do so 

Regardless of the nature of the theft charges you are facing, what’s certain is that New Jersey takes these crimes seriously. Fines, prison sentences, and a permanent criminal record are among the potential outcomes you could be facing. You need prompt, dedicated legal representation from Team Law’s experienced theft offense attorneys in Clark, NJ. 

Types of Theft Crime Charges Team Law Can Defend You Against 

At Team Law, our theft offense attorneys in Clark, NJ, assist clients accused of a variety of theft-related violations, including: 

• Theft by unlawful taking
• Shoplifting 
• Robbery and burglary
• Credit card theft
• Prescription theft
• Auto theft
• Carjacking
• Theft by extortion 
• Theft of services 
• Theft by deception 
• Fraud
• Credit card fraud
• Embezzlement 
• Data theft
• Identity theft
• Receiving stolen property 

If you’re ready to get help for a theft charge in New Jersey, we’re ready to listen to your story and prepare your defense. 

Penalties for Theft Crimes in NJ

Generally, the severity of theft charges and the penalties you could face if convicted depends on the type and value of the property that was stolen, among other factors. 

Consequences of Disorderly Persons Theft Crimes

The lowest level of theft crime in New Jersey is a disorderly persons offense, also known as a misdemeanor. Theft offenses typically constitute disorderly persons offenses when they involve property valued at less than $200. A conviction of this crime could send you to jail for up to six months and result in a $1,000 fine. 

Penalties for Fourth-Degree Theft Crimes

Theft of property that amounts to $200 or more constitutes an indictable offense, also known as a felony. If the property you are accused of stealing is valued between $200 and $500, you can face fourth-degree charges and be sentenced to up to 18 months in prison and $10,000 in fines. 

Third-Degree Theft Sentences 

A theft crime of the third degree can encompass the stealing of property valued anywhere from $500 to $75,000. 

You can also face third-degree felony theft charges for offenses that involve the unlawful taking of certain types of property or by certain means. 

Types of property the theft of which may result in third-degree charges, regardless of the actual value of the property, include: 

• Firearms 
• Controlled dangerous substances
• Blank prescription pads
• Horses and companion animals
• Boats
• Airplanes
• Credit card or bank account numbers 

You might also face third-degree theft charges if you are accused of: 

• Taking the stolen property directly from the person of the victim
• Stealing packages delivered to a residence, known colloquially as “porch pirating” 
• Using threats that don’t rise to the level of extortion to take the property 
• Committing healthcare fraud 
• Breaching a fiduciary obligation by taking the property 

If convicted of a theft crime in the third degree, you may be fined up to $15,000 and face three to five years in prison. 

Penalties for Second-Degree Theft 

Second-degree felony charges, the most serious charges you will face for theft offenses outside of violent crimes like robbery, apply in specific situations, such as:

• Theft of human remains 
• Theft of more than one kilogram of a controlled dangerous substance 
• Theft by extortion 
• Theft of health care benefits valued at more than $75,000 by fraud or deception 

When convicted of a second-degree felony charge of theft, you could be fined as much as $150,000 and sentenced to serve five to 10 years in prison. 

First-Degree Theft Consequences

It is possible to face first-degree theft charges in conjunction with violent crimes like armed robbery or carjacking, in which case you could be sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $200,000. 

Defenses Against Theft Charges 

There are a variety of potential defenses against theft charges. Which defenses will be most beneficial to you depends on the specific facts of your situation. Among the defense strategies and arguments our theft offense attorneys in Clark, NJ, may explore in connection to your charges include: 

• False accusations
• Mistaken identities 
• A lack of intent to deprive the victim of possession of the property 
• Permission to take the property 
• A mistaken belief that the property was yours
• Accidental taking of property 
• Duress or entrapment 
• Lack of evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
• Procedural errors or rights violations that could result in suppression of certain evidence or dismissal of charges

Our mission as your New Jersey theft crime lawyers is to put together a strong defense based on the evidence that exists in your unique situation to secure a more positive outcome for you. 

How Team Law Can Help You Defend Against Theft Charges

At Team Law, we’re committed to constructing the strongest possible defense for our clients. We’ve achieved our reputation as seasoned New Jersey theft crime lawyers through a combination of the following: 

• Meticulous investigation: Knowing the facts of your case in and out and examining them from all angles is integral for crafting a robust defense strategy. 
• Aggressive representation: Every legal proceeding involved in your case matters. Throughout it all, we’re staunchly determined to defend you. 
• Negotiations committed to your best interests: We’ll explore every option to secure the most favorable outcome possible for you, including drawing on our negotiation skills to bargain with the prosecution for reduced charges or lighter sentences when appropriate.
• Unwavering advocacy: Our commitment to your cause is unquestionable. Throughout everything, you can turn to us for answers, explanations, advice, and continual protection of your legal rights. 

The best step you can take now is to retain skilled theft offense attorneys in Clark, NJ, to defend you against the serious charges you’re facing. 

Why Choose Team Law as Your New Jersey Theft Crime Lawyers

Just a few reasons you should retain Team Law as your theft defense attorneys are our: 

• Experience: Our firm has more than 60 years of experience practicing law throughout New Jersey, including experience spanning all types of criminal charges under NJ law, from troublesome disorderly persons offenses to life-altering accusations of felony indictable offenses. 
• Personal commitment: Team Law is known for our consistent, longstanding commitment to helping people, complete with a personalized approach that puts your unique needs front and center.
• Convenient options for getting help: Our team is available 24/7 and offers free, confidential initial telephone consultations to ease your mind and put your case on the path to the most favorable outcome possible. In-person meetings are available by appointment in 11 office locations for your convenience, so you’ll never have to look far for the skilled legal assistance you need. 

Contact the New Jersey Theft Crime Lawyers at Team Law Today for a Free Consultation

Retaining a skilled attorney as soon as possible is critical for protecting your legal rights and putting together a strong defense. At Team Law, we make this crucial step easy with 24/7 availability and the opportunity for a free initial telephone consultation. 

For help from a theft defense attorney in Clark, NJ, contact Team Law online or call us today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Theft Crimes in New Jersey