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Theft of movable property – commonly just referred to as theft – is one of the most prevalent criminal charges in New Jersey. If convicted of theft you could face penalties which include incarceration, probation, thousands in restitution and fines, and a permanent criminal record. As founding attorney, Will Proetta has successfully handled thousands of criminal and municipal court charges including theft cases. Our firm will analyze the State’s evidence a work with the prosecutor toward a downgrade, remand or your admittance into Pre-Trial Intervention where the charges will be dismissed upon completion. We represent clients throughout New Jersey including Linden, Cranford, Plainfield, Elizabeth, Springfield, Rahway, and Westfield. If you would like to speak with an experienced theft criminal attorney then contact our office, conveniently located in Cranford, for a free consultation at (908) 838-0150.
The New Jersey statute for theft of movable property is listed below, in pertinent part, for your convenience.
§ 2C:20-3. Theft of Movable Property
Movable property. A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully takes, or exercises unlawful control over, movable property of another with purpose to deprive him thereof.
In New Jersey, a crime of theft of movable property is graded by the amount of merchandise or property allegedly stolen. A grading chart has been provided below.
| Second Degree Theft | $75,000.00 or more | punishable by five 5 – 10 years in prison |
| Third Degree Theft | Value between $500.00 – $75,000 | punishable by three 3 – 5 years in state prison |
| Fourth Degree Theft | Value between $200.00 – $500.00 | punishable by up to 18 months in state prison |
| Disorderly Persons Offense Theft | Value less than $200.00 | punishable by up to 6 months in the county jail |
If it is your first offense, you may not be incarcerated if you show the prosecutor that you are a good candidate for a diversionary program for first-time offenders. This is where a good attorney can help you prepare a successful application to either the conditional dismissal program in municipal court or the pre-trial intervention program in superior court if your stolen items are valued over $200.00. Both programs allow a first-time offender to complete a supervised program, typically lasting a year, which include things like education, drug testing, counseling, and probation, in lieu of a criminal record.
Theft crimes can often be riddled with complicated legal issues that must be litigated and argued before the court. Having the experience of a season criminal defense lawyer on your side is immeasurable when it comes to defending your legal interests in a court of law. If you or a loved one has been charged with theft of movable property or any related criminal offenses then contact our office at (908) 838-0150 for a free initial consultation with an experienced theft defense lawyer.
Our phones are answered 24 hours a day. We are available weekdays during business hours. We also meet with clients on evenings and weekends by request. We have office locations conveniently located in Jersey City, Edison, Middletown, Cranford, Burlington, and Hamilton. All major credit cards are accepted
242 10th Street Suite 103 Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: (201) 793-8018
By Appointment Only
3840 Park Ave, Suite 202 A, Edison NJ 08820
Phone: (732) 659-9600
By Appointment Only
20 Commerce Drive, Room 135 Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone: (908) 838-0150
By Appointment Only