Caught Shoplifting at a Shoprite in New Jersey

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

I am 19 years old and was recently caught by an LPO at a local Shoprite. The items totaled to $37 and the police came. The policed proceeded to ask me my information and told me that I would have to follow up with a detective regarding a court date. This is my first offense and my record has been completely clean. I realize that I made a terrible mistake and will not do it again. I was wondering what my options looked like at this point.
1) apply for the PTI program?
2) plead not guilty and request for a public defender?
Anything else?

I am most worried about my criminal record seeing as how I graduate soon and am wondering if it will be visible during a background check and how to get it expunged immediately. Thank you.

Plead not guilty, ask for a public defender. Ask about a Diversion Program, which will eventually clear your record.

Expungment, if a state allows is, usually takes YEARS before you become eligible for it.

Yes, for a couple of years atleast you will have a record that will show on a background check. So hopefully your degree isn't pharmaceutical, anything dealing with money/accounting, or would place you in a high level of trust. Because it's hard to get even a Data Entry job with a record, the staffing agencies won't touch you.

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Quoting Hopefulstudent

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

I am 19 years old and was recently caught by an LPO at a local Shoprite. The items totaled to $37 and the police came. The policed proceeded to ask me my information and told me that I would have to follow up with a detective regarding a court date. This is my first offense and my record has been completely clean. I realize that I made a terrible mistake and will not do it again. I was wondering what my options looked like at this point.
1) apply for the PTI program?
2) plead not guilty and request for a public defender?
Anything else?

I am most worried about my criminal record seeing as how I graduate soon and am wondering if it will be visible during a background check and how to get it expunged immediately. Thank you.

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Don't know if you were charged under a Municipal Code or State Code, but here's some pretty good info, including wait time. The wait times are different depending on how you were charges.

BTW - I am in no way promoting this attorneys site. It just has some good information that appears to answer your questions. http://www.njexpungements.com/faq.php

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Quoting PandorasBox

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Plead not guilty, ask for a public defender. Ask about a Diversion Program, which will eventually clear your record.

Expungment, if a state allows is, usually takes YEARS before you become eligible for it.

Yes, for a couple of years atleast you will have a record that will show on a background check. So hopefully your degree isn't pharmaceutical, anything dealing with money/accounting, or would place you in a high level of trust. Because it's hard to get even a Data Entry job with a record, the staffing agencies won't touch you.

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Thanks for the quick answer, PandorasBox. Even while in a diversion program, the charge of shoplifting will still show up on my record? I assumed that a diversion program would completely clear this off my record without an expungement. If that is the case, what is the difference between getting your record expunged and taking part in a diversion program?

Diversion program will get it off a lot quicker.

If you successfully complete a diversion program you can apply in six-months after completion.