New Jersey Nordstrom Shoplifting Attorney

Have you been charged with shoplifting from a Nordstrom store in New Jersey? Due to the luxury clothing, handbags, jewelry, and other items that Nordstrom sells, the value of any stolen merchandise from the store could easily turn a minor shoplifting offense into a serious criminal charge.

Don’t risk a criminal record, fines, community service, or jail time. An experienced shoplifting attorney can help you fight these charges effectively and leave this incident behind you.

At the Law Office of Jason A. Volet, we have extensive experience with this type of criminal charge. Our founding attorney, Jason A. Volet, is a New Jersey Nordstrom shoplifting attorney with a background as a prosecutor and a reputation for aggressively defending his clients. To learn more in a free consultation, contact us today.

What Procedures Does Nordstrom Take to Combat Shoplifting?

Nordstrom employs full-time loss prevention officers to catch shoplifters. According to Nordstrom’s Customer Bill of Rights, loss prevention officers cannot use discriminatory profiling, threatening language, or excessive force when they detain customers suspected of shoplifting from the store.

Nordstrom’s loss prevention officers should receive extensive training. They have no duties except catching shoplifters. Additionally, they have access to the store’s surveillance video systems. They are trained to not confront a suspected shoplifter until they have enough evidence to support the allegation and ensuing investigation.

Can a Nordstrom Security Guard Detain Me If They Suspect Me of Shoplifting?

Yes, a Nordstrom security guard or loss prevention officer can detain you if they suspect you of shoplifting. The Nordstrom Customer Bill of Rights requires anyone detaining a suspected shoplifter to follow specific rules and procedures. The officer must:

• Identify themself as a loss prevention employee when they initiate contact with a suspected shoplifter.
• Provide their name on request.
• Detain a suspected shoplifter in a reasonable way and for a reasonable length of time.
• Never detain a suspected shoplifter without reasonable grounds.

If you are detained by a Nordstrom security guard or loss prevention officer, they will confiscate any merchandise you are carrying and then call the police. Don’t answer any questions they ask you or comment before you have a lawyer’s advice.

What Are the Different Grades of Shoplifting?

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11, the different degrees of shoplifting offenses which you can face in New Jersey are:

• Disorderly persons offense for merchandise worth less than $200
• Fourth-degree crime for merchandise worth between $200 and $500
• Third-degree crime for merchandise worth between $500 and $75,000
• Third-degree crime for merchandise worth less than $1,000, shoplifted on behalf of an organized retail theft enterprise
• Second-degree crime for merchandise worth $75,000 or more
• Second-degree crime for merchandise worth $1,000 or more, shoplifted on behalf of an organized retail theft enterprise.

An “organized retail theft enterprise” is also known as a shoplifting ring.

What Are the Penalties for a Shoplifting Conviction?

The penalties for a New Jersey shoplifting conviction are:

• At least 10 days of community service for a first disorderly persons offense
• At least 25 days of community service for a second disorderly persons offense
• At least 90 days in jail for a third disorderly persons offense
• Up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 for a disorderly persons offense
• Up to 18 months in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 for a fourth-degree crime
• Three to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000 for a third-degree crime
• Up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $150,000 for a second-degree crime.

Is It Possible to Get a Shoplifting Charge Dismissed or Downgraded?

Yes, you might be able to get your shoplifting charge dismissed or downgraded with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The court may dismiss or downgrade your charge if:

• Your lawyer can present evidence that raises doubts about the case against you.
• Your lawyer negotiates with the prosecutor to downgrade the charges against you.
• You agree to participate in New Jersey’s Pretrial Intervention program. This program is usually only available for first-time offenders charged with a second-, third-, or fourth-degree crime.

If you are given the option of participating in a Pretrial Intervention program, you will have to meet various conditions such as random urine testing or psychological counseling. It will take one to three years for you to complete the program. You will also have to meet with a probation officer during that time.

While it is possible to get your charges downgraded or dismissed without the help of a lawyer, your likelihood of doing so will be much greater if you work with an experienced shoplifting attorney.

What Defense Will My Lawyer Use Against a Nordstrom Shoplifting Charge?

Your lawyer will develop a personalized strategy for your case based on the specifics of your arrest. If you want to take the case to trial rather than negotiating a guilty plea for a reduced charge, your lawyer may select one of several defense strategies, including arguing that:

• The loss prevention officer had no reasonable grounds for detaining you.
• You never intended to steal anything from Nordstrom, and you were detained by mistake.
• The loss prevention officer confused you with someone else who was in the store at the same time.
• The merchandise you are accused of stealing is not worth as much as the prosecution claims.
• The prosecution has no proof you were attempting to shoplift.

Your attorney will select a strategy for you based on their experience with defending shoplifting charges. So, it will be vital to choose a lawyer with a record of defending clients against these charges.

Contact a Nordstrom Shoplifting Defense Attorney Today

If you have been charged with shoplifting at a Nordstrom store in New Jersey, you need the help of a New Jersey Nordstrom shoplifting attorney with the experience to help you beat the charges or seek the best outcome possible, depending on the circumstances of your case.

The Law Office of Jason A. Volet is prepared to help you fight the charges against you so you can get on with your life. Contact us today to discuss your circumstances in a free initial consultation.

Visit Our New Jersey Shoplifting Defense Law Offices