Credit Card Theft Lawyers Morris County NJ

Local Criminal Defense Attorneys with offices in Morristown, New Jersey

Credit Card Theft Charges Morris County NJ

As use of the internet has increased for the purposes of shopping, more and more credit card theft-related laws have been added to New Jersey’s statutes. If police have shown up at your door with an arrest warrant for an alleged credit card theft, your immediate action should be to say nothing to the police, as anything you say can be used against you by the prosecution. Depending on the value of the property or services you are accused of stealing through unlawful use of a credit card, you may face criminal charges ranging from a disorderly persons offense to an indictable crime, or felony offense. Defending yourself against a credit card theft charge in New Jersey is something best left to an experienced criminal defense attorney. Because of the increasing media coverage surrounding credit card theft and other related white collar crimes, the prosecution will not have any mercy and will likely try to make an example out of you.

If you or a loved one has been charged with credit card theft in Morris County, New Jersey, trust your freedom and financial well-being to the experienced criminal defense lawyers at The Tormey Law Firm. Our defense team includes a former Morris County Prosecutor who uses his previous experience on the other side of the criminal justice system to help craft the best defenses for our clients. With offices in the center of Morristown, we regularly defend clients accused of credit card theft and similar crimes in Mount Olive, Parsippany, Roxbury, Denville, Washington Township, and throughout Morris County, NJ. Contact us anytime at 908-336-5008 to find out how we can help you. Consultations are always provided free of charge.

Credit Card Theft Attorneys in Morris County NJ

Unlawful Use of a Credit Card: N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6

The first step in creating a successful defense strategy in your credit card theft case is to understand the exact nature of your charges. Credit card theft is actually a set of several offenses included in a subsection of New Jersey’s Credit Car Fraud Act. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c), common credit card theft crimes in New Jersey, include:

• Theft of a card: Using someone else’s physical credit card without their consent.
• Internet theft: Stealing a person’s credit card number and other information through hacking.
• Using or possessing a lost, mislaid, or mistakenly delivered credit card
• Skimming: Using a machine on an ATM or gas pump to read a credit card’s magnetic strip
• Recording credit card numbers: This is when an employee or someone else at a business copies a customer’s credit card information for later use.
• Application fraud: This occurs when a person uses someone else’s information to apply for a new credit card. This also occurs when the actor attempts to change the address of the account holder to request a replacement card.

Notably, New Jersey law presumes that you are in violation of this statute if you are found in possession of two or more credit cards issued under other individuals’ names.

Grading and Penalties for Credit Card Theft

In terms of the potential penalties for credit card theft in New Jersey, these offenses are typically graded as fourth degree crimes. A fourth degree crime in New Jersey is punishable by up to 18 months in prison. In all credit card theft cases, there is also a chance for the accused defendant to pay fines up to as much as $10,000. A conviction for credit card theft in New Jersey will also result in a criminal record. In cases involving credit card theft charges, the outcome often depends heavily on the skill and experience of your criminal defense attorney. The onus is on the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you knowingly committed this crime. A skilled New Jersey criminal defense lawyer may be able to cast doubt on the charges to obtain a not guilty verdict, negotiate a favorable plea deal, or even find flaws in police procedure or in the evidence to have your case dismissed.

Contact East Hanover Credit Card Theft Defense Lawyers Near Me

New Jersey’s credit card laws are complex and highly nuanced. If you don’t have courtroom experience and a strong understanding of New Jersey’s statutes, you should not attempt to face these charges on your own. You may not think you can afford the services of a highly-qualified criminal defense attorney, but given the potential fines and jail time you are facing, you cannot afford to take any chances.

If you have been arrested for credit card theft in Morris County or elsewhere in New Jersey, put yourself in a position to succeed by contacting the experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Tormey Law Firm. We have defended numerous clients against credit card theft charges in Boonton, Chatham, Madison, Chester, and surrounding communities and will work with you to craft a sound defense strategy. Contact us immediately at 908-336-5008 for an initial consultation to discuss the details of your case. You can also reach us online to schedule an appointment at our offices in Morristown, NJ.