What is the current status New Jersey shoplifting detention and arrest law?
New Jersey law has many specific rules that apply to the detention or arrest of a person for shoplifting. If either a police officer or a store employee has probable cause to believe that a person has wilfully concealed unpurchased merchandise, then the person can be taken into custody. The taking into custody must be done in a reasonable manner and only for a reasonable period of time. A police officer may arrest a person for shoplifting without a warrant if he has probable cause to believe that the person is stealing. 9. When can a trumped up shoplifting charge be upgraded to a robbery charge? In many cases, a vigilant prosecutor may try to convert a basic shoplifting case into a robbery case. If the person uses any type of force to effectuate the stealing the merchandise, then the shoplifting charge can be elevated to a robbery charge. All the person has to do is basically touch a store employee or security officer when he attempts to flee the store with the stolen merchandise. This
