New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyers

Shoplifting 2C:20-11

New Jersey Shoplifting Statute

Shoplifting is governed by Title 2C, Section 20-11 of New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11). A shoplifting case can be charged in the superior court as an indictable crime or “downgraded” to the municipal court. An arrest or conviction for either offense can be fatal to future job or immigration prospects. Dishonesty is a red flag that human resources managers and immigration officials look to avoid, so avoiding a theft offense in your background is essential.

To have the shoplifting charges dismissed, get in touch with a New Jersey shoplifting lawyer right away. Shoplifting is graded and punished based on the retail value of the merchandise allegedly taken. The offense requires intent to deprive the merchant of the possession, use, benefit, or partial value of the merchandise through any one of the following acts:

• Taking hold, carrying away, or transferring merchandise for sale
• Hiding, concealing, or converting merchandise without paying
• Altering, transferring, or removing any labels indicating value
• Deactivating any anti-shoplifting or inventory control device
• Personally trying or conspiring to pay less than the retail value
• Transferring from display or storage to another container
• Charging less or under-ring merchandise at the register
• Removing a shopping cart without consent from the store

N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11 Provides

(1) For any person purposely to take possession of, carry away, transfer, or cause to be carried away or transferred any merchandise displayed, held, stored, or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment to deprive the merchant of the possession, use or benefit of such merchandise, or convert the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant full retail value thereof.

(2) For any person purposely to conceal upon his person, or otherwise, any merchandise offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the processes, use, or benefit of such merchandise, or converting the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant the value thereof.

(3) For any person purposely to alter, transfer or remove any label, price tag or marking indicative of value, or any other markings, which aid in determining value affixed to any merchandise displayed, held, stored, or offered for sale by any store or other Retail mercantile establishment and to attempt to purchase such merchandise personally, or in consort with another, at less than full reset value with the retention of depriving merchant of all or some part of the value thereof.

(4) For any person purposely to transfer any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail merchandise establishment from the container in or on which the same shall be displayed to any other container with intent to deprive the merchant of all or some part of the retail value thereof.

(5) For any person purposely to under minding with the intention of depriving the merchants of the full retail value thereof.

(6) For any person purposely to remove a shopping cart from the premises of a store, or other retail mercantile establishment, without the consent of the merchant given at the time of such removal with the intention of permanently depriving the merchant of possession, use or benefit of such cart.