The Law: Shoplifting Punishments in New Jersey
The Punishment for a conviction of shoplifting in the State of New
Jersey is listed below. The punishment is based on the value (price)
of the merchandise taken. Please note that even if the value of the
merchandise is only $1.00 you can still be charged with Shoplifting
and still face up to 180 days in jail.  

Value of Merchandise is less than $200.00:
Disorderly Persons Offense
Up to 180 days in Jail plus fine of up to $1000.00, plus community service as indicated
below.  Case will generally be heard in Municipal Court with a Judge Trial.  No Jury is available.
These are the penalties for a first offense. Click here to learn about additional penalties for all
offenders.  If a second offense, same penalties as above but add additional community service
time as indicated below.

Value of Merchandise is between $200.00 and up to $500.00:
4th Degree Crime
Up to 18 Months in Jail plus fine of up to $10,000.00 plus community service as  
indicated below. Case will be heard in Superior Court with a Judge or Jury Trial.  Click here to
learn about additional penalties for all offenders.  If a second offense, same penalties as above
but add additional community service time as indicated below.

Value of Merchandise is more than $500.00, but less than $75,000.00:
3rd Degree Crime
Shoplifting constitutes a crime of the third degree if the full retail value of the merchandise
exceeds $500 but is less than  $75,000, or the offense is committed in furtherance of or in
conjunction with an organized retail theft enterprise and the full retail value of the merchandise is
less than $1,000.  

3 to 5 years in Jail plus fine of up to $15,000.00, plus community service as indicated
below.  Click here to learn about additional penalties for all offenders.  Case will be heard in
Superior Court with a Judge or Jury Trial.  If a second offense, same penalties as above but add
additional community service time as indicated below.

Value of Merchandise is more than $1000 if committed by two or
more people or $75,000 if committed by one person:
2nd Degree Crime
Shoplifting constitutes a crime of the second degree if the full retail value of the merchandise is  
$75,000 or more, or the offense is committed in furtherance of or in conjunction with an
organized retail theft enterprise and the full retail value of the merchandise is $1,000 or more.  
An organized retail theft enterprise is considered to be any association of two or more persons
who engage in the conduct of or are associated for the purpose of effectuating the transfer or
sale of shoplifted merchandise (i.e. organized retail theft enterprise means two people working
together to steal merchandise and later sell it)

5 to 10 years in Jail plus fine of up to $150,000, plus community service as indicated
below.  Case will be heard in Superior Court with a Judge or Jury Trial.  If a second
offense, same penalties as above but add additional community service time as indicated below.

Additional Punishment for all shoplifting offenses: Community Service Required:  In
addition to the penalties noted above, any person convicted of a shoplifting offense shall be
sentenced to perform community service as follows:  for a first offense, at least ten days of
community service; for a second offense, at least 15 days of community service; and for a third
or subsequent offense, a maximum of 25 days of community service

* Please consult our New Jersey Shoplifting Lawyer for complete details on all fines and penalties
listed above as the shoplifting penalties listed in this website are for informational purposes only
and may contain error or omissions. This Shoplifting website and its contents are provided "AS
IS" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, etc. Past performance is not
indicative of future performance and each shoplifting case is fact sensitive, thus, the need for the
in office consultation for the attorney to evaluate your shoplifting case.  Some penalties may not
apply to out of state residents who were caught and arrested for shoplifting.  Please consult a
shoplifting attorney in your state of residence.  98% Success Rate refers to the percentage of
shoplifting cases in which our shoplifting lawyers have either reduced the original shoplifting
charges, had the shoplifting charges downgraded to a lower offense, won the case, or simply
reduced the penalties the client was originally facing such as a possible 18 months in jail was
reduced to mere probation and a fine and or community service.  We Can Help!

98% Success Rate of
Winning
Reducing
Downgrading
or Eliminating
the penalties.
Why Go To
Anyone Else!
H. SCOTT AALSBERG, ESQ., P.C.
"The Shoplifters Attorney"
39 Milltown Road, East Brunswick, N.J. 08816
1028 Route #23 North, Wayne, N.J. 07470
1-800-9-RIGHTS or (732) 257-5040
www.shopliftersattorney.com "our name says it all"
Free
Office
Consultation
1-800-9-RIGHTS
www.ShopliftersAttorney.com
"When Winning Counts"
98% Success Rate of Winning, Reducing,  
or Eliminating the Penalties
Call 24/7  1-800-9-RIGHTS
Helping Shoplifters Get Not Guilty
Verdicts For Over 19 Years