Criminal Defense Lawyers

What Happens at a Grand Jury?

So, you got caught shoplifting. It happens. Maybe you made a mistake, maybe you were going through tough times – whatever the reason, you‘re now facing misdemeanor charges. Take a deep breath. We’re here to help guide you through this.First thing‘s first – don‘t panic. Misdemeanor shoplifting is a relatively minor offense in the grand scheme of things. But, that doesn’t mean you should take it lightly either. Depending on the specifics of your case, you could be looking at fines, probation, or even jail time.The good news? With the right legal representation, there’s a solid chance we can get those charges reduced or even dismissed entirely. But you need to act fast and smart.

What Exactly Is Misdemeanor Shoplifting?

In most states, shoplifting is considered a petty theft or larceny charge if the value of the merchandise stolen is below a certain dollar amount (often around $500-$1000). Anything above that dollar value typically gets bumped up to a felony charge.So in plain English – if you swiped a $20 shirt from the mall, you‘re likely looking at a misdemeanor. But if you walked out with a $2000 TV? That‘s felony territory, my friend.The key things that need to be proven for a misdemeanor shoplifting conviction are:

1. You entered the store/business
2. With the intent to steal merchandise
3. And the total value was below the felony threshold

Simple enough in theory. But in practice, there‘s a lot of nuance and room for a strong defense, especially when it comes to proving intent. We’ll dive deeper into some of those defense strategies in a bit.

Potential Penalties for Misdemeanor Shoplifting

Okay, so what kind of penalties are we looking at here? As with most criminal charges, it depends on the specific circumstances and your prior record (if any).Generally speaking though, potential penalties for a misdemeanor shoplifting conviction can include:

• Fines (ranging from $100 to $1000+)
• Probation
• Community service
• Restitution (having to pay back the business)
• Up to 1 year in county jail (in more serious cases)

Now, jail time for a first-time shoplifting offense when the amount stolen is small? Pretty unlikely if you have a decent lawyer. But it’s still on the table technically.The fines, probation, and community service are much more common for minor cases with no prior record. But again, every case is different based on the specific facts.One thing to keep in mind – even if you just get fines and probation, having that conviction on your record can have lasting impacts when it comes to employment, housing, etc. So it’s crucial we explore all options to keep that record clean if possible.

Building a Solid Defense Strategy

Here’s where having an experienced criminal defense attorney is absolutely essential. There are numerous potential defenses and strategies we can employ to fight misdemeanor shoplifting charges:

Lack of Intent

Remember, intent is a key element the prosecution needs to prove. If we can show you lacked the intent to shoplift when you entered the store, that undercuts their entire case.Maybe you got flustered at the register and simply walked out without paying (it happens). Maybe you had no intention of keeping the merchandise and it was just a misunderstanding. There are countless scenarios where we can argue lack of intent.

Factual Innocence

In some cases, you may have been wrongly accused or the evidence is shaky at best. We’ll thoroughly review all security footage, witness statements, and other evidence to identify any holes in the prosecution’s case.If the facts don’t conclusively show you committed shoplifting beyond a reasonable doubt, we can absolutely argue for dismissal on those grounds.

Mistaken Identity

Believe it or not, this happens more often than you’d think. If the store personnel simply got the wrong person, we’ll make sure to establish that clearly and have the charges dropped.

Violation of Rights

Did the store security detain you improperly or conduct an unlawful search? We’ll look at every aspect of the arrest and investigation process. If your rights were violated in any way, that evidence could get thrown out.

First-Time Offender Programs

Many jurisdictions offer first-time offender diversion programs for those with no criminal record. If you qualify, we may be able to get the charges deferred pending completion of things like community service and anti-theft classes.Successfully finishing the program would then result in a full dismissal of charges with no conviction on your record.

Plea Bargains

In some situations, the best move may be negotiating a plea bargain to reduce the charge to a lesser offense or infraction. This avoids the risk of harsher penalties if found guilty at trial.It’s not an ideal outcome, but could be the most pragmatic option depending on the circumstances. We’d make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons before going this route.As you can see, there are numerous potential avenues to pursue in building a strong defense. The key is having an attorney who will leave no stone unturned in fighting for the best possible outcome in your specific case.

What to Do If Charged with Misdemeanor Shoplifting

Okay, let‘s get into the practical steps of what to do if you find yourself charged with misdemeanor shoplifting:

1. Stay Calm, but Act Fast – I know it’s easier said than done when facing criminal charges. But it’s crucial you keep a level head and don’t panic. That said, don’t wait around either. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better we can start building your defense.
2. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent – When first encountering law enforcement, politely invoke your 5th amendment right to remain silent. Don’t try to talk your way out of it or explain the situation. Anything you say can potentially be used against you later.
3. Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer – This is non-negotiable. Do not try to represent yourself, no matter how straightforward you think the case may be. Having the right lawyer can make all the difference in avoiding a criminal conviction.
4. Be 100% Truthful with Your Lawyer – We’re on your side, working to protect your rights and freedom. But we need you to be fully upfront about every detail of the incident. Holding anything back will only undermine our ability to build the best possible defense.
5. Follow All Instructions from Your Lawyer – Whether it’s making court appearances, steering clear of the alleged victim, or anything else – listen to your lawyer’s guidance implicitly. Even small missteps can potentially derail your case.
6. Be Patient and Let the Process Unfold – Fighting charges takes time. There will be a lot of back-and-forth between lawyers, motions filed, evidence reviewed, and so on. As frustrating as it can be, stay the course and trust that your lawyer has a clear strategy.

Look, no one wants to be charged with a crime, even a relatively minor misdemeanor shoplifting case. But by taking quick action and having the right legal representation, we can give you the best possible chance of putting this behind you with a clean record.

Why You Need an Experienced Shoplifting Lawyer

At this point, the importance of having a skilled criminal defense attorney handle your misdemeanor shoplifting case should be crystal clear. But it’s worth digging a little deeper into why having the right lawyer is so crucial:

Understanding of Law and Procedures

An experienced shoplifting lawyer will have an in-depth knowledge of all relevant local laws and court procedures. We know exactly what the prosecution needs to prove, potential defenses to raise, and how to navigate every step of the justice system.You trying to represent yourself or relying on an inexperienced lawyer? That’s just asking for trouble when your future is on the line.

Ability to Investigate Thoroughly

Building a strong defense case requires a thorough investigation into every aspect of the alleged incident. An experienced lawyer will know what evidence to look for, what questions to ask witnesses, how to obtain security footage, and more.We leave no stone unturned in building a comprehensive defense strategy. You simply don‘t have the resources or know-how to conduct this level of investigation on your own.

Leverage in Negotiations

Having an aggressive lawyer who has earned respect in the legal community can give you significant leverage when it comes to negotiating with prosecutors.Maybe we can get charges reduced or even dismissed if the prosecution‘s case is shaky. Or we can push for more favorable terms on any plea deals. An experienced lawyer knows how to apply the right pressure.

Protecting Your Rights

Do you know all the nuances of search and seizure laws? How about what can and cannot be used as evidence against you? An experienced criminal defense lawyer does.We ensure that no corners are cut and no violation of your constitutional rights occurs during the investigation and legal process. Don’t risk your future by failing to have your rights properly protected.