ShopliftingShoplifting is often viewed as a relatively minor offense, and may even be thought of as a rite of passage for many young people. In reality, however, shoplifting is a crime that can have a serious impact on nearly every aspect of a person’s life, as one New Jersey firefighter is currently discovering.

According to a report published by WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, 34-year old Ashton Funk pled guilty late last year to shoplifting $7.98 worth of items from the Margate Wawa in August. Now, he may lose his job, if prosecutors get their way, as they are arguing that public employees are subject to dismissal if they are convicted of crimes involving dishonesty.

Criminal penalties can go far beyond those imposed by a court

While public figures and shoplifting is bound to get a significant amount of media attention, shoplifting is a common occurrence that happens on a daily basis in the state of New Jersey. While common, a conviction for shoplifting can have extremely serious consequences. Most of us are aware of the fact that shoplifting penalties can include probation, fines, community service, and even jail time. Less commonly understood is the fact that there can be other consequences involved that have nothing to do with the criminal justice system. Some of these include the following:

  • Issues related to educational institutions – Many schools have codes of conduct that prohibit their students from engaging in illegal activity. If a student is convicted of a criminal offense, the school may impose sanctions such as probation, suspension, or withdraw a student’s financial aid. In addition, those considering seeking admission to a college or university should be aware that schools often take the existence of a criminal record into account when deciding to offer admission to a particular candidate.
  • Consequences related to employment – As illustrated by the story discussed above, shoplifting and other criminal misconduct can also result in serious employment-related consequences. Private employers may terminate employment based on a criminal conviction, and potential employers often making a criminal background check a standard part of any interview process prior to making a hire.
  • Damage to your reputation – Criminal convictions are usually a matter of public record, meaning that anyone with an Internet connection and sufficient curiosity can generally discover the existence of a conviction and even details about the underlying offense.

Contact a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer today to schedule a free consultation

If you have been accused of a crime, you need legal representation, regardless of the seriousness of the offense or whether it is your first offense. A criminal conviction can have a significant impact on your life, and an attorney can often help mitigate the consequences that you are facing. To schedule a free case evaluation with New Jersey criminal defense attorney David W. Polsky, call our office today at 973-686-9787 or send us an email through our online contact form.