Under New Jersey law, theft is the unlawful taking or control of someone else’s property with the intent to deprive them of it. Being accused of theft and making a victim out of the situation can be quite damaging, even though it might not be true. This is why, as soon as you get word that you are being blamed for such a serious offense, you must act fast and clear your name of any misunderstanding, misidentifications, or malicious claims. Without further ado, please continue reading to learn what to do if you are wrongly accused of theft and how an experienced Morristown criminal defense lawyer at Graves Andrews, LLC, can help prove your innocence.
What are the punishments for committing theft in New Jersey?
Depending on the extent of damages you cause with your alleged theft, you may be punished with either a disorderly persons offense or an indictable offense. For one, disorderly persons theft applies when you are found to have taken or controlled property worth $200 or less. This may translate into up to six months in jail, up to a $1,000 fine, probation, community service, driver’s license suspension, etc.
From here, charges may be broken up between fourth-degree, third-degree, and second-degree indictable offenses. This is if the property was valued at $200 to $500, $500 to $75,000, or more than $75,000, respectively. Further, this means 18 months in jail and a $10,000 fine, three to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine, or five to 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine, respectively.
What should I do if I’m wrongly accused of theft in New Jersey?
Based on the harsh punishments mentioned above, you do not want to face the consequences of a theft offense if you never committed it to begin with. And so, the first thing you want to do is retain the services of a proficient legal representative. With their help, you may build a solid defense against the specific reason why you are being falsely accused of theft. More specific examples of this are as follows:
- In a case of mistaken identity: you may obtain surveillance camera footage, an alibi, and other circumstantial evidence that establishes you were not at the scene at the time of the alleged crime.
- In a case of a misunderstanding or misplaced property: you may obtain a confession from an employee who admittedly forgot to scan an item, a close family member who borrowed the victim’s property without informing them, etc.
- In a case of false or malicious accusations: you may obtain testimonies from close family members, friends, coworkers, etc., who may have reason to believe that the victim has a personal motive to wrongly accuse you of theft (i.e., revenge, jealousy, professional conflict, etc).
When it comes to your criminal defense, you should not settle for anything less than spectacular legal representation. So please hire us to help with your criminal trial proceedings. A skilled Morristown criminal defense lawyer at Graves Andrews, LLC, looks forward to working with you.