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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    3

    Default Help for a Shoplifting Charge

    Hi, I was recently caught shoplifting at Macy's for $280 worth of stuff. The store called the police and I was fingerfrinted and everything. My court date is set for next week.
    I am very scared of having a criminal record on my back, but I was told that there is no pre trial intervention available for Municiple matter, is there any other program or alternative that I can pursue to avoid a record.
    I am very sorry about what I did, and I will never, never, never do such things again, not worth it.
    Thanks for any help in advance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    27

    Default

    I was in a similar situation and was very scared about having this on my record permanently. I was able to pay a large fine of $400, complete a shoplifting course, and now I am on probation for the next 6 months. However after 6 months the whole ordeal will be off of my record. There should be somekind of diversion program that you could do to erase it from your record if it is a first offense

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Thanks for your reply, I just consulted with a lawyer, who said there is nothing for municiple cases in NJ, and he was pushing for me to hire him to represent me. His fee is $1200, do I really need an attoney? I don't have that kind of money, plus his whole attitude is very aggresive, I am not sure if I should have someone like that to represent me in court?
    Thanks again.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    california
    Posts
    29

    Default

    Quote Quoting deeplysorry
    Thanks for your reply, I just consulted with a lawyer, who said there is nothing for municiple cases in NJ, and he was pushing for me to hire him to represent me. His fee is $1200, do I really need an attoney? I don't have that kind of money, plus his whole attitude is very aggresive, I am not sure if I should have someone like that to represent me in court?
    Thanks again.
    IF he said that there is nothing for municiple cases in NJ, then what do you need him for? You can always go for a free consultation and see if you get the same feedback. I'm in an almost similar situation, i was caught shoplifting but no police were involved. I got a civil demand in the mail for $200 so you might expect one too.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    nj
    Posts
    31

    Default

    I tried for pre-trial intervention for my S/L case in NJ. I was told by the Prosecutor in the Municipal Court that it is not possible because the case is not in a County Court and it is not a indictable offense. In NJ, the offense or criminal charge becomes indictable, based on the value of the goods in question. I have my pre-trial next week in a NJ Municipal Court and I shall definitely post my sentencing in this forum, in my thread.

    In my opinion, you are only left with the option of going to a hearing (Pre-trial) and your lawyer should make a deal with the Prosecutor to reduce your charges. If they have you on tape or whatever proof they have at the store, then dismissal is not possible. If your attorney has good connections with the Municipal Court, then he will know by default, what charges he can bring it down to. One thing I can tell you - DO NOT REPRESENT YOURSELF - Believe me, a good lawyer can save you a lot of trouble by reducing this to a lesser charge than 3rd or 4th degree - may be to a Petty Disorderly person's offense or may be even a Municipal Ordinance (MO), if the Prosecutor has pity on your immig status. MO is not a criminal conviction and so it should not affect your status in this country.

    If you are not happy with the lawyer, just dont hire him. Definitely run away from someone, who you feel is aggressive in making you hire his services. There are plenty out there, who will give you free initial consultation. Go to www.lawyers.com and send your search criteria, your zip, town etc and it will pull plenty of lawyer info for you to start with. Start calling around and go with the one, you feel comfortable with. Also make sure that your lawyer has some immig experience as well, as it is very important for him to know that before he can make a deal with the prosecutor telling him of the immig consequences that you would face as a result of this conviction. In NJ in my experience, the lawyer fees for S/L can range from $500 to $1250, if it's a decent lawyer who's not taking you for a ride. Again, make sure if it's a flat fee.

    Your CZ will wholly depend on what sentencing you finally get. That's why you should talk to an attorney, (especially one who deals with a lot of cases in the municipality your case is in) and find out the likelihood of your charges being reduced.

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