1. You Will Have A Criminal Record of Conviction:
If you are reading this website you probably have already been arrested by the police and have a criminal record of arrest. Don't let this matter get worse and get a criminal record of conviction. A criminal record of conviction for shoplifting or theft may prevent you from finding employment, seeking financial aid, buying a house, renting an apartment or traveling outside the U.S.
2. You may go to jail even for a first offense:
Yes it is true even first time shoplifting or theft offenders can go to jail even for a dollar store item. Jail for a first time offender is rare for amounts under $200.00 taken but can happen. A good shoplifting lawyer can lessen this chance. Obviously your prior record, age, amount stolen, type of product stolen and how the item was shoplifted will be factors the judge will consider. A judge will be more lenient on a person who stole food and has a low income versus a person stealing designer clothes, makeup, jewelry or perfume.
3. You will have to pay Fines and Court Costs:
The more you steal the more you pay. For cases with less than more than $200.00 but less than $500.00 stolen you will pay up to $10,000 For amounts taken over $500.00 but less than $75,000 you will pay a fine of up to $15,000.00 or double the amount taken whichever is greater.
4. You may be sentenced to a term of probation for any shoplifting charge:
If sentenced to probation you will have to submit to random drug and urine testing and can be prohibited from traveling outside the country.
5. You must pay restitution:
If the court finds the (store) has suffered a loss (example the clothing was damaged by removing the tag you will have to pay the full retail value of the item not the sale price)
6. You may be sentenced to a term of probation for any shoplifting charge:
If sentenced to probation you will have to submit to random drug and urine testing and can be prohibited from traveling outside NJ or the United States
7. You may lose your job:
If you are a public employee of a government agency, school teacher, office holder or licensed professional such as a nurse, school teacher, doctor or lawyer, you could be required to forfeit your job or professional license as a result of a shoplifting or theft conviction
8. If you are not a U.S. Citizen you may be jailed and deported if you are found guilty of shoplifting.
9. You may be sued by the store in civil court:
NJ Law allows the store (victim) to sue you in civil court for the stores reasonable cost in defending the shoplifting case (this can be as little as $150.00 or up to several thousand dollars)
10. You will be required to do Community Service.
For a first offense shoplifting conviction you must do 10 days community service for 2nd or subsequent convictions it is up to the judge to determine the amount of time.
11. You will be subject to increased insurance premiums.
Most insurance companies will raise your rates for car insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance etc.
12. The Judge has the power to order additional penalties not listed:
Some common penalties imposed by judges for shoplifting and theft offenders include but are not limited to ordering you not to visit a mall or store, ordering you to wear an electronic monitoring device for a set period of time.