Shoplifting From ShopRite in New Jersey

Have you been arrested for shoplifting from a ShopRite in New Jersey? Shoplifting in New Jersey is a form of theft, and prosecutors aggressively seek convictions in these cases. If you currently face a shoplifting charge, you need an experienced defense attorney to protect your rights and interests.

The Law Office of Jason A. Volet is here to defend you and pursue the best possible outcome in your ShopRite shoplifting case. With over 19 years of experience in the courtroom, including as an assistant prosecutor in Monmouth County, our founding attorney, Jason A. Volet, knows how to develop effective defense strategies. He can explore all the options available to you.

Don’t wait to start your defense. Contact us today. We’re available 24/7. We can review your case in a free and confidential consultation.

What Is ShopRite?

ShopRite is a popular grocery store co-op chain with stores throughout the Northeast, including Manchester, Jackson, Howell, and Toms River in New Jersey. Like other stores and chains, ShopRite seeks to avoid financial loss caused by theft. The chain takes shoplifting seriously, including using security guards and video surveillance systems, and pushing ahead with prosecutions when they catch suspected shoplifters in their stores.

How Does New Jersey Define Shoplifting?

Under New Jersey law (N.J.S. § 2C:20-11), shoplifting occurs when a person:

• Takes possession of, carries away, or transfers any merchandise that a merchant has displayed, held, stored, or offered for sale (or causes the merchandise to be carried away or transferred)
• With the intent to deprive the merchant of the merchandise’s possession, use, or benefit, or convert it to the person’s use, without paying full value for it.

Shoplifting includes any behavior that seeks to deprive the store owner of the value of goods, such as switching price tags or hiding merchandise inside another container.

You don’t have to steal anything from a business to be guilty of shoplifting. As long as you intentionally conceal merchandise, the legal presumption is that you were shoplifting, even if you don’t leave the store. For example, if you put merchandise in your backpack or purse instead of a shopping cart, the law presumes that you intended to steal the item.

Does ShopRite Have Security Devices and Personnel?

Like many other grocery stores and chains in New Jersey, ShopRite uses several measures to deter and catch shoplifters. For instance, the stores use video cameras and have dedicated loss prevention and security officers on staff to analyze footage from the cameras.

New Jersey law also gives ShopRite staff the right to stop and investigate shoppers for shoplifting. If a store owner or security officer reasonably suspects you are shoplifting, they can temporarily detain you and contact the police.

What Are the Penalties for Shoplifting at a New Jersey ShopRite?

New Jersey treats shoplifting as theft and assigns it the same grading and penalties as typical theft charges. Because it is a grocery store, most shoplifting cases at ShopRite involve amounts under $200. New Jersey classifies theft of property under $200 as a disorderly persons offense, or the state’s version of a misdemeanor crime. Disorderly persons offenses in New Jersey can carry a maximum $1,000 fine and up to six months in prison.

In some cases, the prosecution may combine, or aggregate, repeated shoplifting crimes into a single charge. Aggregating charges results in a higher stolen amount, which can lead to more extreme fines and prison sentences. For instance, if you stole more than $500 over repeated shoplifting events, you could be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree and face up to 18 months in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine. Theft offenders also may have to pay restitution equal to the amount of the stolen property.

If you are convicted of shoplifting in New Jersey, you could face additional consequences such as mandatory community service. First-time offenders must perform at least 10 days of service, while second- and third-time offenders must perform 15 and 25, respectively.

A shoplifting conviction can affect your professional career and social life, making it harder to secure employment or housing. It could also be an issue when applying to schools and seeking educational opportunities.

Can I Go to Court If I Am Caught Shoplifting at a ShopRite?

If you get caught shoplifting in ShopRite, you may be arrested and charged with a crime in court. Even if you are not arrested at the moment, ShopRite can wait until you have stolen a cumulative value large enough to carry harsh penalties. Even a lower-level disorderly person offense will require a court appearance in which a judge will decide whether you are guilty or innocent. Failing to show up for court is an arrestable offense that can carry penalties in addition to those for a shoplifting conviction.

How Long Will a Shoplifting Charge Stay on My Record?

Shoplifting expungements are available in New Jersey. It depends on the level of shoplifting charge and conviction you receive. In general, a disorderly persons offense can be expunged from your record after five years, assuming you have no pending charges or recent convictions. However, courts have discretion to allow earlier expungement. The standard expungement waiting period for indictable shoplifting crimes (fourth, third, and second degree) is instead six years. In either case, a shoplifting offense can show up on background checks for years, making it all the more important to defend yourself against shoplifting charges.

Contact a New Jersey Shoplifting Defense Lawyer

Shoplifting from a store like ShopRite is not a minor offense. A conviction carries harsh consequences, especially if you have prior shoplifting convictions. When your freedoms and liberties are at stake, you should work with an attorney who will use every resource available to protect your rights and interests.

Attorney Jason A. Volet has handled over 4,000 cases in New Jersey as a prosecutor or criminal defense attorney, including shoplifting charges. He can use his experience and in-depth knowledge to investigate your case and craft a defense strategy to seek the best possible outcome for you.

Contact us today for a free case consultation and learn how an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of Jason A. Volet can help you.

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