Hackensack NJ Shoplifting Charge Dismissed
NJ Criminal Defense Lawyers
* Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. *
Ms. Hascup’s client, a mother of two with absolutely no criminal record, and who worked as a research assistant for a well-known university in New York City, was allegedly caught Shoplifting at the Saks Fifth Avenue in Hackensack (Shops at Riverside). Because of the purported amount of the items ($700), she was initially charged with a Fourth Degree (indictable/felony-level) crime. This was of concern because a Fourth Degree (indictable/felony-level) crime can be prosecuted at the Bergen County Superior Court and can carry exposure of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison.
At first, Alissa Hascup was successful in challenging the amount of the alleged Shoplifting. As a result, the case was downgraded from a Fourth Degree (indictable/felony-level) crime to a disorderly persons (misdemeanor) offense and sent back to the Hackensack Municipal Court for handling.
Once there, Ms. Hascup were able to highlight enough evidentiary issues that the State offered to dismiss the Shoplifting charge in exchange for a guilty plea to a local ordinance violation for disorderly conduct (akin to a traffic violation).
The local ordinance violation only carried with it a small fine, and resulted in the avoidance of a conviction altogether. There were also no collateral consequences for Ms. Hascup’s client – no effect on her employment status, and no immigration issues.
It was a great result.
