Shoplifting Charges in Marietta
Marietta Theft Defense Lawyer
Shoplifting is the illegal act of removing something from a retail store
that the offender has no intention of paying its full value. The act of
shoplifting is typically an impulsive action that leads to substantial
regrets to the offender. If charged with the offense of shoplifting, however,
you face severe penalties. There are many different reasons that people
shoplift but no matter what the reason, it is important to obtain legal
assistance from an aggressive Marietta criminal defense attorney from the firm.
The defense lawyers at
Henrickson & Sereebutra have assisted many past clients obtain a reduction or dismissal of charges.
There are a variety of defenses that can be used to help you pursue a
positive result to your case. Using these defenses, an attorney from the
firm can provide you with the critical assistance you need during this
difficult time.
Penalties for Shoplifting
For those who have been charged with shoplifting in Marietta, they should
be aware of the penalties associated with a conviction. If the property
stolen from the retail store is valued at $300 or less, the crime will
be punished as a misdemeanor. If the accused has multiple theft offenses
or if the value of the stolen object is greater than $300, however, you
can face a felony shoplifting charge. This carries a prison sentence of
up to 10 years and heavy fines. In addition to the criminal penalties,
there are also civil penalties such as being labeled as a convicted felon.
There are two ways that an individual can be charged with shoplifting.
Whether they have concealed merchandise or changed the price of an item
so that they can pay a lower price, the offense of shoplifting will not
be taken lightly by the prosecution. The penalty the offender faces will
depend on the value of the item or items that were taken. No matter what
the circumstances surrounding the shoplifting offense, these crimes come
with severe consequences. It can be a serious crime depending on the full
value of the object that has been stolen. Petty theft is often referred
to as shoplifting because it involves the unlawful removal of another's
property with an intention of depriving them of that object and not returning
it to the owner.
Smash and Grab
The state of Georgia has a unique law that is related to the offense of
shoplifting called Smash and Grab. If objects are damaged during the act
of shoplifting that amount to more than $500, a conviction will result
in a mandatory two-year prison sentence. The object can include a jewelry
case, a window or display case.
The purpose of this special law is to ensure that the offender pays the
full price of his or her offense. The state of Georgia is serious about
forcing offenders to pay the consequences of their actions. The
theft crime of shoplifting is very serious and will require the legal assistance of
a Georgia defense lawyer from Henrickson & Sereebutra.
Protecting the Rights of Georgians Charged with Shoplifting
A
criminal defense lawyer form the firm can help you make sure that no bit of evidence that
can be used in your defense is left out. They work to protect the rights
of those who have been charged with shoplifting to obtain the best possible
result. It is important to fight your criminal theft charges, using all
available resources that you can access.
Crimes of moral turpitude such as shoplifting can result in the denial
of professional licenses and certifications. These charges require extensive
legal knowledge that can be accessed by speaking with a lawyer from Henrickson
& Sereebutra!
Contact a Marietta criminal defense lawyer at your earliest convenience to obtain quality representation!