Ocean County Identity Theft Defense Lawyer
The last decade, commonly called the “Cyber Age” has brought the advent of easy internet access, online shopping and e-mail. However, the majority of the information that is accessible on the World Wide Web is for the most part unsecure and this has made Identity Theft an increasingly popular crime. Traditionally, identity theft occurred in insurance situations and other circumstances where someone’s personal information could be used to benefit another. In an attempt to control this new problem, New Jersey has set severe penalties such as imprisonment for someone convicted of an identity theft offense. The criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of John F. Marshall in Toms River, NJ handle Identity Theft charges and have over 50 years of combined experience. Our Ocean County Law Firm is made of up former prosecutors from Ocean County and Monmouth County who have worked on the county and municipal court levels. In fact attorney Thomas V. Campo from our office is the former prosecutor from Barnegat, Bayville, Toms River, Brick, Long Beach Island, Waretown, Manahawkin, Forked River, Little Egg Harbor, Point Pleasant, Lacey, Waretown, and Tuckerton. Our unique familiarity with the Ocean County Court systems allows us to get more charges dropped and work out better deals faster than other comparable lawyers and law firms. In the end this means that we will produce a better result for you! If you have any further questions or concerns you can contact our office to talk with an experience criminal attorney for absolutely free.
Identity Theft Offenses in Ocean County
In New Jersey an individual may be charged with Identity Theft, under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17, if they steal or unlawfully obtain assets or other monetary benefits of another by impersonating that person either through false representation, false identification, or a misleading statements. Identity theft is a very serious offense and a conviction of this offense could result in very serious penalties, including up to 10 years of incarceration and restitution to the victim (cost of repairing the victim’s credit, or the costs associated with a civil or administrative proceeding to satisfy a debt, lien, or other obligation which arose out of the fraudulent action). Identity theft can be a fourth degree offense, third degree offense, or the most serious—a second degree offense. The degree of the offense depends on the amount of victims and the amount of money obtained through identity theft. The individual is guilty of a fourth degree offense if he or she obtains a benefit or deprives someone else of a benefit for an amount under $500 and the identity of one victim is stolen. A fourth degree crime is punishable by up 18 months in prison. A subsequent conviction for this offense is a crime in the third degree. The individual is also guilty of a third degree crime, which brings up to 5 years of incarceration, if they steal at least $500 but less than $75,000, or the offense involves the stolen identity of at least two victims, but less than five victims. Lastly, it is a second degree crime if they steal $75,000 or more, or the offense involves the identity of five or more victims. A second degree is the most serious because there is a presumption of imprisonment and the defendant faces up to 10 years.
If you have been charged or arrested for identity theft in Ocean County then you need the help of a veteran defense lawyer. The Law Offices of John F. Marshall has aggressive lawyers and former prosecutors who will develop an impenetrable defense around your case. We are a law firm with almost 60 years of combined experience that specializes in criminal defense work and our office is located in Toms River. Our attorneys appear in the Superior Court of Ocean County and in each municipality including Lakewood, Bay Head, Seaside, Point Pleasant, Lakehurst, Manchester, Pine Beach, Mantoloking and Lavalette. Please do not hesitate to call our office to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney at no cost.
