15,000 Stolen from Work, What to Expect for Punishment

[karengrdn40]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: New Jersey

My son is being charged third degree theft for stealing 15,000 from his place of employment. he has no previous record. the judge said he could serve time in jail but i dont think he can because he has never commited a crime before. he is 20 years old. what can i expect by way of punishment? i'm in the process of contacting a lawyer. this was stolen in cash through manipulating paperwork.

[cyjeff]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: New Jersey

My son is being charged third degree theft for stealing 15,000 from his place of employment. he has no previous record. the judge said he could serve time in jail but i dont think he can because he has never commited a crime before. he is 20 years old. what can i expect by way of punishment? i'm in the process of contacting a lawyer. this was stolen in cash through manipulating paperwork.

I would expect prison... grand larceny is usually between 5-10 in the state pen.

[karengrdn40]

i don't understand though, i highly doubt he'd be looking at 5-10 for a first offence...i was thinking probation and fine? any second opinions? this is third degree theft...from my research i thought that was a misdemeanor, not a felony?

[Mr. Knowitall]

He's unlikely to get "the max", but as the judge warned you jail time is a real possibility. His lawyer - and he needs one - can advise him as to his likely sentence based upon the full facts. If he can, it sometimes helps to make restitution before sentencing.

[karengrdn40]

thank you for your quick response

[LawResearcherMissy]

from my research i thought that was a misdemeanor

A misdemeanor? For fifteen grand?

I'm afraid you've gotten hold of bad information. The threshold for felony theft in New Jersey is $500.

The idea of "no jail time at all for first offenders" generally applies to petty thieves - the ones who shoplift a six of beer or a $10 pair of cheap sunglasses and such. Theft of fifteen large is far more serious, and nearly always carries at least some jail time. Certainly not the max of 10 years for a first offense, but anywhere from 1 to 5 years would not be out of the realm of possibility.

I do hope you've taken Mr. K's suggestion to retain counsel. You do NOT want to let your son head to court without representation, and for the love of Mike, don't let him plead guilty. Contrary to popular belief, pleading guilty does not get you a lighter sentence, it only ties the court's hands and takes any chance at leniency off the table.

[jaybird83]

I was in the same type of trouble in North Carolina. My best advice is to get a good lawyer, but I did not get any jail time. I was sentenced to pay back all the stolen money in full and put on a monthly payment plan of almost 700 dollars a month. I am on probation until I pay back all the money. If I miss a payment then I get a jail term of 8 months. I cant promise you what will happen, but I hope the best for your son.

P.S. It is very hard to find employment after a crime like this, so take what you can get even if you dont like the type of work.

[karengrdn40]

thank you for all your responses all. i'm sick with worry, and my son isn't being truthful with me what is going on, so i'm trying to piece things together here. someone mentioned that this is a felony, not a misdemenor. i know for sure that he is being charged with third degree theft, and i thought that in nj, that is a gross misdemeanor based on the information i've obtained. i'm wrong about that?. i thought that despite the fact that the amount was so much, if he is charged with third degree theft, it is a misdemeanor.

[OhMy]

thank you for all your responses all. i'm sick with worry, and my son isn't being truthful with me what is going on, so i'm trying to piece things together here. someone mentioned that this is a felony, not a misdemenor. i know for sure that he is being charged with third degree theft, and i thought that in nj, that is a gross misdemeanor based on the information i've obtained. i'm wrong about that?. i thought that despite the fact that the amount was so much, if he is charged with third degree theft, it is a misdemeanor.

As Missy stated , OVER $500 in NJ is a FELONY and Missy is NEVER wrong.

There is NO theft for $15,000 that would qualify as a misdemeanor. HELLO, you need to read what was posted here.

[cyjeff]

While I am feeling that he was charged under 2C:20-3, please post the exact statute under which he was charged....