Theft charges in Hamilton Township should be taken seriously, as even a minor charge and conviction can have long-term consequences. Theft encompasses a wide range of criminal offenses, not just taking something that does not belong to you.
These offenses can range from small acts like shoplifting to larger criminal schemes like embezzlement. Depending on the severity of the offense, theft charges can result in anything from disorderly persons offenses to serious indictable crimes. Additionally, theft charges can have significant consequences beyond just legal penalties, potentially damaging your reputation and causing others to view you as dishonest and untrustworthy.
Call our theft and robbery defense attorneys at the Lombardo Law Group, LLC at (609) 445-4300 for a free case assessment.
How Theft Is Defined in Hamilton Township, NJ
There are several ways in which theft offenses can be carried out. However, the manner in which a defendant commits such an offense will impact the specific charges they will be facing. Our theft and robbery defense lawyers are ready and available to assist you, regardless of the charges you might be facing. Some of the different types of theft offenses that occur in Hamilton Township can be found below:
Theft By Deception
If someone intentionally obtains or receives someone else’s property through deceitful means, they can be charged with theft. There are several forms of deception involved in theft. For instance, if a person acquires property under false pretenses, such as lying about the property’s actual worth or claiming that it will be donated to charity when the intention is to keep it, they can be found guilty of theft.
Additionally, if someone prevents others from accessing crucial information that could influence their decision to participate in a transaction, it can also be considered theft by deception. Even if the defendant did not initiate the deceptive tactic, they can still be held accountable for theft by deception if they are aware of it and fail to rectify the situation.
Shoplifting
One of the most common theft offenses is shoplifting, which can be carried out in various ways. Shoplifting involves secretly removing merchandise from a retail store without paying or using deceptive practices to avoid payment. The most well-known form of shoplifting is when merchandise is sneakily removed and concealed before leaving the store without paying. For instance, a person who discreetly puts a bracelet in their purse while in a jewelry store might be charged with shoplifting. Shoplifting can also involve methods of underpaying or not paying the full price of the merchandise, which is often done at self-checkout stations where a person might enter a cheaper item’s price to avoid paying the full amount.
Extortion
It is important to understand that extortion is similar to theft by deception, where a victim willingly hands over their property to the defendant. However, in extortion, the defendant uses threats or intimidation to force the victim to give up their belongings. These threats might include physical harm, false accusations, or exposure of a secret. Additionally, extortion can involve blackmail.
How Robbery Is Defined in Hamilton Township, NJ
Committing robbery in Hamilton Township is a criminal act that involves theft and violence or the threat of violence, as per N.J.S.A. § 2C:15-1. It is a grave offense that can lead to severe penalties such as imprisonment for several years and substantial fines.
During a robbery, there is a second act or threat that occurs with the theft, which can involve various actions such as causing physical harm to someone or using force against them. Another possible threat is to intentionally instill fear of bodily injury in another person. Additionally, the perpetrator might commit or threaten to commit a serious crime of either the first or second degree.
Essentially, robbery is when theft is accomplished through force or threat, either in an attempted or actual act or while fleeing after the theft. The level of force used can range from a simple purse snatch to a violent act such as shooting. Robbery has various subcategories, such as carjacking and armed robbery.
Degrees of Theft Charges in Hamilton Township, NJ
If certain circumstances are claimed by the prosecutor, an individual could potentially be charged with second-degree theft. These circumstances include the involved amount being $75,000 or greater, the property being taken through extortion, the stolen property weighing over 1 kilogram and being a controlled substance, or the stolen property being a person’s federal or state health care benefits and the amount being $75,000 or greater.
A person can be charged with third-degree theft if The circumstances or amount are less severe. A third-degree theft will be charged if the amount involved is between $500 and $75,000 or the stolen property includes firearms, motor vehicles, boats, planes, horses, or pets. It will also be charged if the property stolen is a controlled substance worth less than $75,000 or of an undetermined value and the amount stolen is one kilogram or less.
Third-degree theft will also be charged if the property is taken directly from a victim, the theft is a violation of an obligation by someone who acts as a fiduciary, or the property is taken by a threat that does not qualify as extortion. If the stolen property is a public record, writing, or instrument, or the stolen property is linked to research, such as research records or other data, it will be classified as a third-degree theft.
If the amount involved in a theft is between $200 and $500, a person might be charged with fourth-degree theft. Additionally, a disorderly persons offense, also known as petty theft, might be charged if the amount involved is less than $200.
Consequences for Theft and Robbery Crimes in Hamilton Township, NJ
If someone is found guilty of theft as a disorderly persons offense, the lowest level of a theft offense, their prison sentence cannot exceed six months. They might also face a fine of up to $1,000 or double the amount of monetary loss to the victim, whichever is greater.
For theft crimes classified as fourth-degree, the punishment is more severe than for a disorderly persons offense and can include a prison sentence of up to 18 months. Like disorderly persons offenses, those convicted of third-degree theft can be fined up to $10,000 or twice the amount of monetary loss to the victim, whichever is higher.
Those convicted of third-degree theft might face imprisonment from three to five years as well as a fine not to exceed $15,000 or double the amount of monetary loss to the victim, whichever is higher.
Theft classified as a second-degree crime can result in imprisonment for five to ten years, and the judge might also impose a fine of up to $150,000 or double the amount of monetary loss to the victim, whichever is higher.
The consequences for robbery will be much harsher considering the violent act that is involved. For robberies in the first degree, defendants can be punished with up to 10 to 20 years in prison. Convictions for second-degree robberies can be punished with prison time between five to 10 years.
Our Hamilton Township, NJ Theft and Robbery Defense Lawyers Can Help
For a free case review with our theft and robbery defense lawyers, contact the Lombardo Law Group, LLC today at (609) 445-4300.
