Clifton NJ Shoplifting Case Dismissed
Theft Defense Attorney in Passaic County, New Jersey
* Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. *
Alissa Hascup represented a client in the Clifton Municipal Court recently who was charged with shoplifting in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11. The client was accused of stealing less than $200 worth of merchandise at a retailer in Clifton, New Jersey, so the shoplifting charge was graded as a disorderly persons offense. In New Jersey, a disorderly persons offense is a lower-level criminal offense, similar to a misdemeanor, which is punishable by a sentence to serve up to 6 months in county jail, a maximum fine of $1,000, and a charge on the defendant’s criminal record. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11, a shoplifting conviction also entails mandatory community service for 10 days for a first offense. Shoplifting is also considered a “crime of moral turpitude,” which means that if you are not a United States citizen, a shoplifting conviction can negatively impact your immigration status or application for a Visa, Green Card, etc.
In this case, Alissa was prepared to take the case to trial. She had reviewed the discovery, prepared with her client, and was ready to proceed. In order for the State to prove its case against her client, they needed the store representative to testify at trial about the shoplifting incident. Even if police were given a witness statement from the person at the scene, only that person can provide this information in court. The police officer who took that statement cannot testify about what the witness said, as this is considered hearsay. Many times in shoplifting cases (like this one), the store representative will fail to appear on the trial date. When this occurs, a knowledgeable NJ criminal defense lawyer can immediately make a motion to have the shoplifting charges dismissed. Alissa was able to capitalize on the representative’s failure to appear and to have the charges against her client dismissed with prejudice. This was clearly a very successful result for the client and Alissa Hascup.
With offices in Passaic County and Morris County, criminal defense attorney Alissa Hascup regularly represents clients in Clifton Municipal Court who are charged with shoplifting and other theft related offenses. If you have been charged with shoplifting in Clifton or elsewhere in Passaic County or Morris County, call 862-257-1200 without delay. Alissa will provide you with a free consultation and discuss potential defenses that can be utilized to fight your charges.
