Atlantic City Shoplifting Defense Lawyer – Atlantic & Cape May County Attorney

Defending Against Alleged Shoplifting and Theft Crimes

If you have been charged with a crime for allegedly shoplifting, you could be facing serious penalties, as well as a criminal record that will follow you for the rest of your life. An experienced attorney may be able to help you avoid these criminal consequences.

I am John W. Tumelty, an Atlantic City shoplifting defense lawyer representing clients in Atlantic County, Cape May County and other counties in South Jersey. If you have been accused of shoplifting, contact my office today to set up a free initial consultation.

What Will Happen to You if You Are Convicted?

Shoplifting is theft from a retail merchant. To be convicted of shoplifting, you do not need to have actually left a store with an item you didn’t pay for. You can also be convicted for concealing an item, altering a price tag, or transferring an item between two containers.

Generally, criminal penalties for shoplifting are based on the value of the goods the defendant is convicted of stealing.

However, the penalties can be much higher if you have prior offenses on your record. Under New Jersey law, if you are convicted of a third or subsequent shoplifting offense, even if the stolen goods were relatively inexpensive, the judge is required to sentence you to jail.

What Can I Do to Defend You Against the Charges?

I have successfully defended many clients, including both local residents and Jersey Shore visitors, against shoplifting and other theft charges. I will carefully investigate the facts of your case and explore all possible options for helping you avoid a conviction, including the following:

• Defending you by showing that the prosecutors have inadequate evidence
• Making restitution to the retailer to encourage them to get the charges dropped
• Showing that you were not criminally culpable due to your state of mind

Every case is unique, and I will take the time to evaluate and recommend the strategy that is appropriate for your specific situation. Contact me today at 609-390-4600 to discuss your options.