Have you ever been to a store and come back out without paying for the goods? Then, you have committed shoplifting.
Now you might ask what is shoplifting. Well, shoplifting is a sophisticated way of stealing where you pick up something from the shop and leave without paying for it. This is a heinous crime that comes with severe legal repercussions.
In this blog, let’s talk about these legal repercussions that would allow you to remove any charges that come against you in terms of shoplifting.
What is Shoplifting?
Shoplifting is a serious crime where you’re accused of theft. This means that you’re taking merchandise from the store and not paying for it. It’s an illegal act that is prohibited throughout the country.
Now, you might be wondering what leads to shoplifting. Shoplifting can come from facing immense financial stress, peer pressure, addiction, and even a thrill-seeking impulse. Sometimes one even shoplifts to resell the item at a higher price.
Coming to the part of penalties, you’re probably wondering what shoplifting can lead to. The penalties rather depend upon the variable factor which is the item’s value, local jurisdiction laws, and prior convictions. They can even range in fines, probation, community service, and even jail time.
Moreover, if you’re accused of shoplifting, there are certain things that you should keep in mind. For example, try and remain calm and do not resist any employee or security. Remain silent and only talk to the cops after talking to your attorney.
Records of Shoplifting
It’s imperative that you stay calm when you’re accused of shoplifting. As its a misdemeanor it can even appear on your criminal record when you apply for citizenship, jobs, and other important aspects. In that case, consult an attorney to guide you through this properly.
Some jurisdictions even offer the first-time offenders to participate in diversions and rehabilitation programs that would help them grow as individuals. These rehabilitations would also be of great use to remove them from the path of crime. Additionally, successfully completing these programs can also lead you to a clean record.
What Happens If I Hire An Attorney For Shoplifting?
You definitely need an attorney if you’re charged with shoplifting. Your lawyer is your legal superhero, whose superpower is to tackle all your legal troubles without a cape.
Step 1: Consultation
Consult with your chosen attorney before taking any drastic step. Make sure that your attorney is a seasoned professional who has expertise in dealing with cases adhering to shoplifting.
Tell your legal sidekick all about your case and spare no detail. Remember, your attorney can only represent you properly in court if you tell them the true story.
Step 2: Defense Strategy
Defense strategy plays an important role in the case. Make sure that you tell your attorney everything about your case and leave no details behind. Your attorney would investigate and amplify the authenticity of the fact. This will help your attorney to equip your case with some ironclad evidence that can be beneficial for your cause.
Step 3: Negotiation or Trial
Sometimes, your attorney tries to avoid a long and tedious trial and might even come and negotiate a plea deal with your prosecutor. That way, this will reduce any charges or penalties against you. However, sometimes these negotiations don’t yield a very favorable outcome and in that case, your attorney will have to prepare for a trial.
Step 4: Courtroom Drama
Assuming that the worst has happened, your attorney then becomes your legal gladiator. They represent you in court and cross-examine your witnesses. They even present concrete arguments about your case before the judge and even the jury.
Step 5: Verdict and Sentencing
Once the trial is over, the judge would then reach a verdict. This verdict can be either in your favor or not. If it’s not in your favor, they will present you with different factors that would reduce your jail time or even fines.
Step 6: Post-Trial Options
If you’re unhappy with the verdict, you can ask your attorney to look for post-trial options like appeals. This wildly depends upon the circumstances of different legal grounds. Your attorney would come in handy to help you out with finding ways to right any potential wrongs.
What Kind Of Attorney Do I Need For Shoplifting?
There are certain things that you should keep in mind before you choose an attorney. Shoplifting, even though may sound like a petty theft, but it’s a very complicated case to navigate. So you must choose your defense attorney carefully to craft your case.
You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney:
Needless to say, you’ll require a criminal defense attorney to help you out with your case. Since shoplifting are legal criminal charge, it’s important that you hire a criminal defense attorney to help you deal with the case.
Experience Matters:
Hire someone who has dealt with shoplifting charge beforehand. Make sure you check all the online reviews before contacting your chosen professional. Also take help from your acquaintances who know all the ins and outs of shoplifting laws and can defend you easily.
Local Knowledge is a Bonus:
In America, the laws vary according to each state. Hence, it’s desirable to get an attorney who knows very well about the local laws of the place you’re charged with in shoplifting.
Good Communication Skills:
Your attorney should be a great communicator. Communication skills play an important role in the case of trial as well as in terms of negotiations. It’s pivotal that your attorney understands your side of the story and presents the case in such a way that it will cater to your interests.
A Comfortable Fit:
Finally, it’s essential that you can get comfortable with your attorney. It’s important that your attorney can understand your problems and cater to your needs specifically. Choosing a proper criminal defense attorney for shoplifting is like choosing a travel companion for a long and uncertain journey; someone you’re comfortable with.
How Much Does An Attorney Cost For Shoplifting?
Like any other answer, we cannot give this answer with full-fledged certainty. The costs completely depend upon various factors. Let’s see what they are:
Location
If you’re in a major city, you might expect higher legal fees compared to a smaller town. It’s all about supply and demand- big cities usually have more lawyers and, often, higher living costs.
Flat fees vs hourly rates
Usually, the attorneys charge on the basis of hourly rates or flat fees. Flat fees entail where there is a particular amount assigned to the entire case. On the other hand, in hourly rates, you only spend the hours your attorney is working on your case. So this is one of the biggest variable factors that hence come with your case.
Case Complexity
If your shoplifting case is relatively straightforward, you might pay less than if it’s a complex, multi-layered legal puzzle. Complex cases demand more time and resources, which can increase the cost.
Consultation and Transparency
It’s important that you choose an attorney who they provide you with a clear breakdown of your fees. They should inform you about all the costs to you upfront. This would help you and your attorney to be clear about the coming costs and the costs that might come for you in the future.
Additional Costs
Other than the fees of the attorney, it’s important that you keep in mind that the expense of the attorney is not the only expense that can take place. There are other costs like filing fees, investigator fees, and other fees that drive the specifics of your case.
Negotiation Potential
Sometimes, you don’t want your case to go to trial and hence you ask your prosecutor to come up with ways to do a favorable negotiation settlement. In that case, your lawyer should be very good at negotiation and help you out in any way that will give you a favorable outcome.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Now you know everything that you need to know about shoplifting charge in the US. We hope this blog was informative and helpful. Is there anything we missed out on? Let us know!
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