A Shoplifting or Petty Theft Lawyer Will Ensure That Your Rights are Protected
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Petty theft is most commonly referred to as shoplifting or and it is usually defined as the unlawful acquirement of someone else’s property with the intent to deprive the owner of his or her property permanently. Petty theft is America’s number one committed crime; one out of eleven people shoplift with 25% of those people being juveniles. Despite the regularity of the offense, petty theft is taken very seriously. Petty theft accounts for over 20 billion dollars worth of losses each year from retailers. Due to this economic impact, businesses have placed extra pressure on prosecutors to seek out and punish offenders to the fullest extent of the law. First offenses for shoplifting are punishable by fines of up to $400 and informal probation of up to one to three years. Although petty theft is considered a misdemeanor and is not as serious a crime as grand theft or embezzlement, it is imperative to have a petty theft lawyer represent you in order to ensure your rights are protected.
Often times an experienced petty theft attorney will be able to reduce the first petty theft offense down to an infraction, thus eliminating any criminal record. A reduction or elimination of these charges are important since a repeat petty theft offense could be charged as felony (known as petty theft with priors) which is punishable by time in county jail or even state prison. Our criminal defense lawyers can fight for diversion programs which would entail taking classes which are focused on rehabilitation as opposed to serving time in a jail cell which is a form of punishment. Our petty theft lawyers believe that stealing is a matter of impulse control. If you have been accused of petty theft, retail fraud or shoplifting, you deserve the opportunity to be rehabilitated before being sentence to jail.
Shoplifting is usually charged as petty theft when the value of the items taken is less than $400.00. Shoplifting may be charged as felony grand theft if the value of the items stolen is more than $400.00. Therefore, theft or shoplifting is considered a "wobbler" and can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor depending upon the value of the property taken and the span of time that has passed since any previous petty theft charges or convictions.
Petty theft is the type of crime that almost everyone has at least thought about doing once in their lives. You’re in a store, looking around and you just think to yourself "no one will know if I take this!" The item is usually not expensive at all, you probably have enough money in your pocket to buy the item right there, but for some reason you think about stealing it. However, during that time period you are NOT thinking of the consequences involved with petty theft. It is not until one is charged that they understand the embarrassment and societal stigma that petty theft and shoplifting crimes bring about. Our petty theft attorneys understand that client confidentiality is important and we will aggressively pursue your defense in a professional and respectful manner.
Not every criminal defense attorney is able to defend petty theft allegations effectively. An experienced petty theft lawyer will be able to investigate into possible defenses that other criminal attorneys may overlook - such as whether the defendant suffers from impulse control, a mental condition which requires counseling and prevention rather than unnecessary fines or jail time. If the accused steals a product out of economic necessity, an experienced petty theft attorney will be able to relate this hardship to the judge and depict the accused as a human being placed in difficult circumstances, not a common criminal looking to get ahead.
If you have been accused of a petty theft or shoplifting crime it is important to seek a petty theft lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner we begin looking into the specific facts of your case, the more time you give us to mount a solid legal defense on your behalf. Call us right away for a free consultation at (888) 855-2447 and one of our team members will be able to assist you.
If you want the best in knowledgeable legal representation & a criminal law firm that will treat your case with consideration and concern, please contact us 24/7 at (888) 855-2447 for a FREE confidential consultation.
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