Crime & Law Enforcement Issues & Death Penalty/Theft/Shop Lifting

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Expert: - 6/11/2005


Question
A parent recently wrote to a national advise collumn that is published in dozens of newspapers. She stated her daughter was caught at 16 attempting to steal some DVD's and CD's and a few Gameboy Discs at a Big Box Electronics store for some "friends" of hers. She had never been in trouble before but now she may not be elegible for scholarships for College, expelled from her school, and maybe even put in Juvinile Hall for this action. She further stated her dad and she hired a lawyer to defend her so she is fairly punished and not punished too severely for her action. They did not take what she did likely but stated that potential punishments seem quite harsh.

I am a manager at a Wal mart here in New Jersey and in our state Stealing/Shop Lifting anything under 500 dollars is considered a "Disordeyly Conduct" sort of in the same league as public drunkeness, disturbing the peace, tresspassing, etc. Such violations go to the local Municipal Court and are handled as "petty Crimes". In this state Municipal courts deal with Disorderly persons offenses, Traffic Tickets, Drunk Driving (where no injuries or deaths occur). Fines in such courts are between 40 and 1000 dollars and maximum jaitimes given by a Municipal court in this state is 6 Months.

Shoplifting under 500 dollars in the State of New Jersey carries fines adding up to between 300 and 500 dollars depending on the judge. The fines total the court imposed punishment plus 50 dollars for Violent crime Compensation funds (which funds victims of more violent crimes) and a 75 dollar Safe Nieghborhoods fund. But no jail time is given for a first offense. A second Offense will carry fines of between 500 and 1000 dollars with still no jailtime.

A Third offense and beyond carries 1000 dollar fines plus possible jailtime usually 30 days but as long as 6 months.

Shoplifting anything beyond 500 dollars is turned over to Superior Court unless it is plead down to a disorderly persons offense (which often happens in a first offense). In such a situation the fines are generally on the higher end of what is allowed to be given by a judge.

Is this typical in most states? I am surprised from reading that collumn that a teen with no other offenses would have the threat of jailtime for stealing DVD's plus being able to be expelled from school over it. Is jailtime common for firsttime shoplifters in other states? Is New Jersey just more liberal than ususal? MY guess is New Jersey would be about standard  and most states have similar guidelines. But I am unsure.

Answer
As too which court handles it is different in other states.
In some states 16 is legally an adult while in others
it is 17 or 18.
In most states petty thieft is a minor crime.
First time caught shop lifters can get jail depending on the value of whats stolen. It is not common.

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Paul Edward Zukowski

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Crime & punishment for teens & adults

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I have a BA in Psychology and 6.5 years expirance working with at risk youth. Many went on to criminal careers regardless of good peoples efforts. In my expirance people are criminals or they are not. On average over 100 crimes are committed by each offender before they are caught. There are few true first offenders only first caughts.
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A general biography my fit more here so I offer the following. (it appears on on all my profiles) After all who we are affects our opinions or even inadvertently effect of statements of fact. I hold a AS from Eastern Conn. State Univ. and a BA from Trinity College, Hartford Ct. Plus 11 other professional certifications. I have received 31 awards for various activities. My writings published in ?The Other Voice? and other publications. I have had my original music published, licensed and recorded by David Kaye. I have been a guest on CyberRadio & TV and many other talk radio programs. I welcome interviews and I am willing to act as a technical advisor to various media. I am single and have resided in Hartford, Ct. since 1976. I have no children. I am a political conservative with libertarian leanings. I am a registered Republican. I am a Roman Catholic. I have worked in the following areas, entertainment, real estate, mortgage banking, and human services. I have owned 2 businesses. Some of my interests include politics, law, history, and current events.Hobbies I partake in include music, target shooting and cars (my Camaro rumbles) If you wish to find out more about me, feel free to visit my web page PEZmans World
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