Toms River NJ Juvenile Shoplifting Attorney

When a juvenile is charged with shoplifting in Ocean County, jurisdiction to deal with the offense rests with the Family Division in Toms River New Jersey. There is no authority for a municipal court in Toms River, Manchester, Jackson, Brick, Stafford or another town to decide a shoplifting or other criminal charge filed against a juvenile. If your child has been accused of shoplifting, you have no option but to retain an attorney. New Jersey law requires that every minor be represented by a lawyer when they appear in court. The Toms River shoplifting lawyers at Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are prepared to serve you in this role. We are former prosecutors and other skilled attorneys who have been representing children in Toms River juvenile proceedings for over two decades. Contact our Toms River Office at (732) 286-6500 for a free initial consultation.

Juvenile Shoplifting Offense in Toms River New Jersey

Juveniles are subject to the same shoplifting law as adults, namely, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11. An assortment of forms of conduct are deemed “shoplifting” under this statute including removing merchandise from a store and concealing it while in the retailer. Swapping of price tags is also a common pedigree of shoplifting. If the prosecutor can prove through video or direct testimony from a witness that your son or daughter engaged in shoplifting as set forth in 2C:20-11, they are subject to serious penalties. This consequences differ, however, from what someone over 18 years old would face if they were convicted.

The penalties for juvenile delinquency are contained at N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-44(d). For second degree shoplifting, a juvenile faces up to 3 years in detention as contrasted to 5-10 years for an adult. The potential period of detention is up to 2 years for a third degree crime for shoplifting whereas an adults faces up to 5 years. A fourth degree crime committed by a juvenile carries up to 1 year of detention (adults faces up to 18 months). The maximum period of incarceration is the same for a juvenile and an adult at 6 months.

Juvenile Shoplifting Offense in Toms River NJ

Unless your child’s juvenile shoplifting case is diverted to Juvenile Conference Committee, it will be venued in Toms River. As previously stated, you will be required to retain a lawyer to defend your son or daughter at all proceedings. An attorney who is well acquainted with the court system and in the defense of Toms River Juvenile charges is definitely an asset. This is exactly the level of qualification our attorneys can offer you and your family. Call our office in Toms River at (732) 286-6500 for immediate assistance.

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