The act of taking another person’s property without permission is commonly known as theft. In New Jersey, people who are accused of theft face serious penalties, including incarceration, large fines, and probation. A theft conviction can linger like a dark cloud over a person, affecting job searches and personal relationships even after a person has “paid their debt.”
The NJ theft lawyers at The Law Office of Jason A. Volet understand the severe consequences of theft convictions and are prepared to fight for your rights and your freedom.
As a former Monmouth County prosecutor, Jason Volet has an insider’s perspective on how theft crimes are prosecuted in Freehold and surrounding communities. Now, as a seasoned criminal defense attorney with more than 2,000 cases under his belt, Jason uses this extensive knowledge to aggressively defend those he represents.
If you or someone you love has been charged with theft, you need to speak with our dedicated New Jersey theft lawyer immediately to start building your defense.
Every day you wait is another day the prosecution has to get ahead of you. Schedule a free case consultation today to learn how our skilled legal team can help you and your family during this difficult time.
Why Hire The Law Office of Jason Volet for Your Theft Case?
Our founding attorney, Jason A. Volet, has spent nearly 30 years handling criminal matters across New Jersey. You can see that experience in how he approaches each case.
Jason has worked on more than 4,000 matters as a prosecutor or criminal defense attorney, giving him valuable insight into how to review criminal charges and the evidence that allegedly supports them.
For people facing theft charges in New Jersey, Jason’s background matters. With his courtroom experience and prosecutorial background, he knows how to spot issues in cases, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, and develop an effective defense strategy.
Jason has been featured by media outlets such as CBS News, KSL.com, and the ABA Journal, and he has received professional recognition from organizations such as:
- Super Lawyers
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Certification by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Criminal Trial Attorney
Our former clients often talk about how direct and responsive our law firm is when they need answers.
“Mr. Jason A. Volet is an exceptionally professional, caring, and highly focused attorney,” shares one former client, David. “His dedication to my legal situation and the positive outcomes achieved truly demonstrated his remarkable capabilities… He is, without a doubt, the finest attorney I have encountered.”
Our Results in New Jersey Theft Cases
Over nearly three decades as a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer, Jason A. Volet has helped numerous clients facing serious theft charges. Our results include:
Our client faced charges for theft by deception and money laundering, which are second-degree indictable crimes. The prosecution’s initial plea offer would have involved prison time. Based on the evidence we collected in our investigation, the prosecution allowed the client to be admitted into a Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program. State v. T.O. (2022)
Our client was charged with theft by deception, a third-degree indictable offense, based on allegations that he and others deceived a bank to pay a car loan. Our investigation established that he had no involvement in the matter, leading to a dismissal of the charge. State v. V.F. (2020)
Our client was charged with receiving stolen property, a third-degree indictable offense, after police found him in possession of a stolen vehicle with an altered VIN. After we negotiated with the prosecutor, the client was accepted into the PTI program for a one-year period, and the charges were later dismissed. State v. A.S. (2024)
We offer these results to illustrate the depth of our experience in New Jersey theft cases and not as a guarantee that we can secure similar outcomes in future cases. Every case is different, and the result in any matter depends on the unique facts, applicable law, evidence, and other circumstances.
How Can We Help You Defend Against Your Theft Charge in New Jersey?
The way a theft charge moves through court in New Jersey depends on the facts and how the law applies to them. A person’s intent, the property’s value, and how law enforcement handled the investigation can be key issues, often providing the best opportunities to attack the prosecution’s case.
As an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney, Jason will go through your case with you, so nothing gets overlooked, including police reports, witness statements, physical and digital evidence, and how the evidence compares to the prosecution’s version of events.
Our process for defending against New Jersey theft charges includes:
- Reviewing reports, statements, and all evidence connected to your case
- Examining how law enforcement gathered or documented evidence
- Finding possible defenses based on how theft laws apply to your case
- Making sure you understand your different defenses and options
- Moving for dismissal or negotiating for a reduction in charges
- Preparing for trial and being ready to present an aggressive defense
Some cases come down to misunderstandings about ownership or intent. Others involve store security footage or witness accounts that don’t tell the full story. Jason covers those details to make sure the court has all the facts, not just the ones the prosecution likes best.
If you face a New Jersey theft charge, reach out to the Law Office of Jason A. Volet. We will talk through what happened and explain how we can build an aggressive defense.
How is Credit Card Theft Defined?
Credit card theft is a serious crime in New Jersey, and it can take many forms ─ from simply misleading a credit card issuer about your financial situation to hacking into a website to steal credit card information. Depending on the circumstances, you could also be charged with identity theft.
Some of the common accusations people face when it comes to credit card theft include:
- Making false statements to obtain a credit card
- Taking a credit card from someone without consent
- Knowingly using a stolen or counterfeit credit card
- Keeping a credit card that has been lost, mislaid, or delivered by mistake
- Selling or buying a credit card
- Altering a credit card or making a fake one
- Skimming credit cards to obtain account information
People who are convicted of credit card theft can face time in prison in addition to large fines. Whether you have been falsely accused of credit card theft, caught up in a misunderstanding, or just found yourself in over your head, you need an experienced New Jersey theft defense lawyer to help you understand the charges you are facing and your options for fighting them.
For more information, please refer to our related page on Fraud, our discussion of identity theft, and our article explaining why a credit card fraud charge is different from other fraud charges in New Jersey.
What is Petty Theft in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, petty theft is pursued as a disorderly persons offense if the total value of the goods taken is less than $200.00. Though the value of the theft may seem to be somewhat small, it is important to be aware that the penalties can be significant if one is convicted.
Unfortunately, many instances of petty theft are a result of misunderstandings, and a seemingly minor mistake could lead to allegations of petty theft.
What Sort of Charges Might Lead to a Petty Theft Case?
To put into perspective the nature of the incidents which might lead to a petty theft case, consider the following representative examples of the kinds of theft which might warrant pursuit of this charge:
- Shoplifting
- Bicycle theft
- Theft of property lost, mislaid, or delivered by mistake (N.J.S.A. 2C: 20-6)
- Misappropriating office supplies
- Taking items when lawfully allowed to be in a residence.
If found guilty of petty theft, you might face up to six months imprisonment in addition to other sentencing requirements.
What Are the Penalties for Shoplifting Charges?
Shoplifting is a broad category that actually encompasses a lot of different behaviors. In the state of New Jersey, shoplifting prosecutions are handled according to a very specific set of classifications.
Behaviors that may lead to a shoplifting charge include hiding a smaller object inside a larger object, direct theft, and changing price tags.
The severity of the consequences associated with a conviction is dependent largely upon the retail value of the property that was taken.
New Jersey has very specific penalties that are associated with shoplifting convictions.
If you are convicted of shoplifting in New Jersey, you could face the following consequences:
- Maximum fine of $150,000
- Mandatory community service
- Maximum jail sentence of 10 years
- Ordered payment of restitution
Shoplifting incidents can occur from many different events and often arise as a result of a misunderstanding or a simple error. For more information, you can read more about the types of shoplifting in New Jersey here.
In many cases, there can be significant obstacles to the prosecution’s case due to a lack of clear and conclusive evidence. A knowledgeable defense lawyer can help to cast doubt upon the prosecution’s version of events or plea bargain for a lesser charge when appropriate.
What Happens If I am Charged with Shoplifting in NJ?
