Burlington County Shoplifting Lawyer — What Are Your Defense Options?
Shoplifting in Burlington County is a serious offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11, with penalties ranging from disorderly persons offenses to indictable crimes. A shoplifting lawyer Burlington County from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can challenge the prosecution’s evidence, including intent and value. With documented results in New Jersey courts, we provide a strong defense. Call for a 24/7 consultation.
New Jersey Shoplifting Law and Penalties
New Jersey law defines shoplifting broadly under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11. It involves purposefully taking merchandise, concealing it, altering price tags, transferring items between containers, or under-ringing with the intent to deprive the merchant of its value or full payment. The classification and penalties depend almost entirely on the full retail value of the merchandise involved at the time of the offense.
Last verified: April 2026 | Superior Court of NJ, Burlington Vicinage | New Jersey Legislature
Official Legal Resources
- N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11 (official New Jersey Legislature)
- Burlington Vicinage Superior Court
Local Court Process for Shoplifting Charges in Burlington County
Shoplifting cases in Burlington County begin with a complaint, often filed by loss prevention. For disorderly persons offenses (value under $200), your first appearance will be in Mount Holly Municipal Court. For indictable shoplifting charges (value $200+), the case starts in Superior Court. Prosecutors in Burlington Vicinage often seek restitution and may offer diversion programs like Conditional Discharge for first-time offenders, but eligibility is strict.
- Initial Appearance & Plea: You will be arraigned, the charges are read, and you enter a plea of not guilty.
- Discovery & Review: Your attorney obtains all evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and surveillance video.
- Pre-Trial Motions: Your lawyer may file motions to dismiss or suppress evidence if your rights were violated during detention or arrest.
- Negotiation & Diversion: We negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduction, dismissal, or entry into a pre-trial intervention (PTI) program.
- Trial Preparation: If no fair resolution is reached, we prepare a vigorous defense for trial, challenging the state’s proof of intent and value.
- Sentencing or Appeal: If convicted, we advocate for minimal penalties; if necessary, we file an appeal.
Potential Penalties for Shoplifting in New Jersey
In Burlington County, shoplifting penalties escalate based on the merchandise value, ranging from fines and community service for minor offenses to state prison time for high-value thefts.
| Offense Level (By Value) | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $200 | Disorderly Persons Offense | Up to 6 months jail | Up to $1,000 | Restitution, community service, permanent record |
| $200 – $499 | Fourth-Degree Crime | Up to 18 months prison | Up to $10,000 | Restitution, felony record |
| $500 – $74,999 | Third-Degree Crime | 3-5 years prison | Up to $15,000 | Restitution, felony record |
| $75,000 or more | Second-Degree Crime | 5-10 years prison | Up to $150,000 | Restitution, severe felony record |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Shoplifting Defense
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to your defense. Our firm-wide record includes 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. We understand that an affordable shoplifting lawyer Burlington County must provide effective, strategic defense without compromising quality. Mr. Sris, the managing attorney for all New Jersey criminal matters, provides strategic oversight on contested cases and leverages his multi-state experience and background in accounting and information systems to dissect financial evidence and store loss prevention practices.
Case Results and Client Advocacy
While specific Burlington County shoplifting results are part of confidential case files, our firm’s approach focuses on achieving dismissals, reductions to non-criminal offenses, and successful entry into diversion programs like Conditional Discharge or Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI). We challenge the state’s evidence on intent, valuation, and procedural errors during detainment.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Shoplifting Defense Serving Burlington County, NJ
Our New Jersey location represents clients facing shoplifting charges throughout Burlington County, including Mount Holly, Mount Laurel, Moorestown, and Medford. We are accessible via the NJ Turnpike and I-295. For a shoplifting lawyer near me Burlington County, contact us for a 24/7 phone consultation.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
44 Apple St, 1st Floor
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (609)-983-0003
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can shoplifting charges be dropped in Burlington County?
Yes. Charges may be dropped if the evidence is weak, your rights were violated during detainment, or you complete a diversion program. An experienced shoplifting lawyer Burlington County can negotiate with the prosecutor for a dismissal, especially for first-time offenders.
Is shoplifting a felony in New Jersey?
It depends on the value. Shoplifting merchandise valued at $200 or more is an indictable crime (New Jersey’s equivalent of a felony). The degree of the crime increases with the value, with second-degree charges for thefts over $75,000 carrying 5-10 years in state prison.
Will I go to jail for a first-time shoplifting offense?
Not necessarily. For a first-time disorderly persons offense (value under $200), jail is possible but uncommon. The court may impose fines, community service, and probation. An affordable shoplifting lawyer Burlington County can often secure a conditional discharge, which avoids a conviction if you comply with probation terms.
How long does a shoplifting case take?
Most shoplifting cases resolve within 3 to 9 months. Municipal court cases may be quicker. Superior Court cases involving indictable charges take longer due to pre-trial motions and discovery. Diversion programs like PTI typically last 1-3 years.
Can I get a shoplifting charge expunged?
Yes, in many cases. New Jersey allows expungement of most shoplifting convictions after a waiting period (typically 5 years for disorderly persons offenses, 6 years for indictable crimes). Successful completion of PTI allows for immediate expungement upon case dismissal.
Related Legal Resources
- New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Shoplifting Lawyer Camden County
- Theft Lawyer Burlington County
Page Last verified: April 2026. Laws change. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current legal guidance.
Your case in Burlington County, New Jersey
Indictable charges are heard in the Criminal Part of the Law Division; disorderly-persons offenses are heard in the municipal court where the charge was filed. In Burlington County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Burlington Vicinage (8th Vicinage), 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060, telephone (609) 518-2500, open Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Court procedures change; confirm the current schedule on the official vicinage website or with the clerk before you file or appear.
The governing law for this topic is the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, N.J.S.A. Title 2C. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles Burlington County matters from its New Jersey location at 44 Apple St 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724; meetings are by appointment. Request a New Jersey consultation at (888) 437-7747 or (609) 983-0003.
Related New Jersey pages: Burlington County NJ lawyers directory · Shoplifting Lawyer Bergen County, NJ · Shoplifting Lawyer Hudson County, NJ · Shoplifting Lawyer Monmouth County, NJ.