Shoplifting is stealing or attempting to steal from a store, which can result in criminal charges and serious consequences. Hiring an attorney is recommended to fight the charge or reduce it. Age and counseling can also affect the outcome. Seeking professional help can discourage future shoplifting.
Shoplifting is a criminal charge that occurs when a person is accused of stealing or attempting to steal from a store. The offense often occurs when a person walks out of a shop without paying for an item. Shoplifting also includes changing a price tag to get a lower price, walking out of a restaurant without paying the bill, or consuming food at a grocery store without paying. Whatever the reason, the first thing you should do if you’ve been arrested for shoplifting is to hire an attorney or enlist the help of another legal professional.
The severity of a shoplifting charge largely depends on the total value of the stolen goods and the existence of a previous case, particularly for shoplifting. Typically, shoplifting is a lower-level criminal charge, but it can carry serious consequences. Try to find an attorney who will fight to get the charge dismissed or reduced. A criminal record that includes shoplifting could limit your options for getting employment, credit, or a college education.
If you are arrested, you will want to try to get the charge dropped. Pleading guilty to a shoplifting charge can put the conviction on your permanent criminal record. If a termination isn’t an option, your attorney may attempt to reduce the shoplifting charge at a lower cost. Be prepared to pay any fines and related legal fees, and some stores may also require the return of stolen items.
Age is another factor. Young people could get a caution or a reduced sentence if they have no history of shoplifting. On the other hand, a young person may be required to perform community service or participate in a rehabilitation program, such as a boot camp. In some cases, shoplifting arrest records for under-18s may be sealed, meaning members of the general public will not be able to access the record. That way, the prosecution doesn’t have a permanent impact by creating a criminal record.
You may want to consider counseling if you are arrested for shoplifting. In some cases, shoplifting starts as a bad habit and becomes an addiction or compulsion. If shoplifting is an ongoing or long-standing problem, professional advice could help. A professional counselor can help you discover the reasons why you are stealing, even if you’re doing it out of boredom, depression, or just to get away with it.
Other options include Internet-based support or counseling groups designed for shoplifters. Make sure you understand the confidentiality of any information you obtain from group counseling or Internet-based counseling. Also check whether the counseling is carried out by professional counselors or volunteers. One benefit of seeking some form of counseling is that it can help discourage you from shoplifting again.
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