Shoplifting is a crime where a person intends to take an item from a retailer without paying. It also includes altering the price to pay less for the item than the retail price.
In New Jersey, the penalties for a shoplifting charge depend on the value of the items stolen.
Shoplifting penalty levels
For cases where the value of the items is less than $200, a person may face up to 10 days in jail. If the incident is the third or subsequent conviction, though, that increases to a minimum of 90 days in jail.
For cases where the value is between $200 and $500, a person could face up to 18 months in prison. There is also a fine of up to $10,000.
For cases valued at $500 to $75,000, there is a possible prison sentence of three to five years. The fine could be up to $15,000.
The highest possible penalties are for cases where the value is over $75,000. This type of case could bring a fine of up to $150,000 and a prison sentence of five to 10 years.
Additional penalties
In addition to the fines and potential incarceration, a shoplifting conviction will also carry community service requirements. Instead of depending on the value of the items stolen, this punishment relates to whether the person has had a previous conviction for this crime.
First-time offenders will get at least 10 days of community service. A second offense comes with at least 15 days, and a third or subsequent incident carries up to 25 days.
Multiple variables will determine the sentencing guidelines for a shoplifting charge.