Financial and Property Crimes Attorney

Conviction of a property or financial crime can carry serious consequences. Not only can penalties include jail or prison time plus possible fines, probation, and restitution, there are other consequences that can follow you for years.

These offenses, especially if they involve theft or dishonesty, can permanently damage your reputation and relationships. Conviction can limit educational and job opportunities, affect professional licenses, and restrict housing and other opportunities.

Whether a charge stems from mistaken identity, misleading evidence, misunderstanding, or a lapse of judgment on your part, you must deal with it swiftly and appropriately. Even if you are innocent, it’s important to have a defense attorney who knows how to protect your rights against a powerful government determined to convict you.

Theft attorney Adam Lamparello is a seasoned litigator who knows the justice system and understands the impact a conviction of a financial or property crime can have on your life. To protect your rights and your future, contact Lamparello Law, Education & Advocacy to schedule a consultation.

New Jersey Property Crimes and Financial Crimes

Both financial crimes and property crimes involve harm to, or mishandling of, assets. Property crimes generally focus on interference with physical property, while financial crimes refer to the unlawful dealings with money, financial information, or financial systems.

New Jersey classifies financial and property crimes into “indictable offenses” (similar to felonies in other states) and “disorderly persons offenses” (similar to misdemeanors). Disorderly persons offenses can result in jail time, and indictable offenses may carry prison sentences. Both can include fines and other penalties. Indictable offenses are also divided into degrees from first-degree on down to fourth-degree. First-degree crimes are the most serious, with the greatest sentencing exposure.

Lamparello Law, Education & Advocacy represents people charged with a wide range of property crimes and financial crimes, including:

Theft

Theft of less than $500 in value is a disorderly persons offense, with a penalty of up to six months in jail and fines of up to $1000. Theft of $500 or more is an indictable offense for which you could be sentenced to five to ten years in prison.

Burglary

Entering a building or other structure without permission and with the intent to commit a crime is burglary. It’s an indictable offense, punishable by five to twenty years in prison depending on the degree charged.

Criminal Mischief/Vandalism

Vandalism involves knowingly damaging or tampering with property belonging to someone else. It can be charged as either a disorderly persons offense or an indictable offense, depending on the level of damage. Punishment includes fines and up to 18 months in jail.

Arson

Knowingly starting a fire or causing an explosion that endangers people or damages property is arson. The penalty for this indictable offense can range from 10 to 30 years in prison, depending on the level of property damage or the risk to human safety.

Fraud

Fraud means getting something of value, like money or services, by deception. It is an indictable offense punished by up to 10 years in prison.

Identity Theft

Identity theft means using someone’s personal information without authorization to impersonate them, usually for some kind of gain. Identity theft is an indictable offense that can be punished by up to five years in prison.

Embezzlement

If someone takes money or property that was entrusted to their keeping, that is embezzlement. Embezzlement is a third-degree indictable offense, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Money Laundering

Money laundering means trying to disguise the source or ownership of money obtained through criminal activity, through a scheme of other financial transactions. It is an indictable offense carrying a prison sentence of five to twenty years, depending on the amount of money involved.

Bad Checks

Passing bad checks, or “check kiting,” means using a check to pay someone while knowing there is not enough money in the account to cover the check. It may be charged as either a disorderly persons offense or an indictable offense, depending on the amount involved. Passing bad checks is punishable by fines and jail time of 18 months or more.

Racketeering

Racketeering involves an ongoing pattern of criminal activity like fraud, theft, or other financial crimes. It is a first-degree indictable offense that carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Several factors can enhance charges and penalties in New Jersey property and financial crimes. These include higher value; use of a weapon; targeting of vulnerable victims; repeat offenses; and violation of a position of trust.

Defending Against Financial or Property Crime Charges in New Jersey

Because the charges and penalties in financial and property crimes depend heavily on the facts, it’s critical to have an experienced theft attorney on your side to protect your rights and help shape the narrative from the start.

Attorney Adam Lamparello sees you as more than just the charges against you. He advocates for you at every step of your case, including moving to suppress unlawful evidence that could make punishment more severe.