Shoplifting offenses can carry overwhelming legal penalties. Recent changes to Florida’s theft laws have significantly increased the severity of the legal outcomes associated with shoplifting, including lengthier periods of incarceration for those convicted of committing these offenses alongside other individuals.
The penalties for allegedly participating in a shoplifting ring can be especially harsh, as the involvement of multiple persons will aggravate the underlying charge. An Orlando organized shoplifting ring lawyer could build an unwavering legal defense if you stand accused of committing this type of retail theft. A shoplifting attorney helps you better understand the potential consequences of your charge, the defense options available to you, and pursue the most favorable outcome to the case.
Shoplifting can produce misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the nature of the offense, the value of the goods allegedly stolen, and other circumstances relative to the case. The act of shoplifting can include various offenses, such as leaving a store with unpaid merchandise, or switching price tags to receive a better discount.
Because of recent additions to Florida’s shoplifting law, if you are arrested by the Orlando Police Department for participating in a shoplifting ring, you could face more serious penalties than ever.
An Orlando attorney can help you construct the best possible defense to an organized shoplifting ring charge, and ensure your rights and interests are protected throughout the legal process.
If you are arrested for taking part in a shoplifting ring with five or more other people, that is a third-degree felony. If you participate in a shoplifting ring with five or more people and use social media to incite other individuals to join the theft, that is a second-degree felony.
A third-degree felony carries a potential prison term of up to five years, while a second-degree felony can see you spend up to 15 years in jail if convicted. Both felonies can also result in thousands of dollars’ worth of financial penalties.
If a person shoplifts and uses a firearm in the process of committing the crime, the offense is a first-degree felony. It is also a first-degree felony if this is the person’s third retail theft conviction. A first-degree felony carries legal punishments including up to 30 years in jail, and up to $10,000 in financial penalties.
Shoplifting rings are often known to engage in multiple theft acts over a period of time. Previously, the prosecutor’s office could only charge individuals for being involved in a shoplifting ring and stealing goods of a certain value with a felony if the thefts occurred over a 30-day period. That window of time is now 120 days, giving the state attorney’s office a much wider berth to charge and convict alleged offenders in shoplifting rings.
Other penalties for organized shoplifting in Orlando can include restitution, community service, and a permanent criminal record. Your employment, educational, and professional prospects could also be affected by a criminal conviction.
An Orlando attorney can explain your rights and help you understand the best path forward if you have been charged for participating in an organized shoplifting ring. A theft defense lawyer could evaluate the evidence the prosecution has gathered, identify advantages of plea bargaining to reduce the charge and penalties, and see what defense options are available to mitigate or eliminate your charge.
Possible defenses to charges for organized shoplifting can include lack of intent, lack of evidence, or wrong identity. If the police arrested you or conducted a search that led to the arrest without probable cause, that element could be used to defend against the prosecution’s case.
If you returned the property in question or accidently walked away with it, these could also be plausible defense options. Entrapment, illness, effects from medication, or even proof that you were forced to participate in a shoplifting ring against your will could be available defense strategies.
The gravity of an organized shoplifting or retail theft charge will depend on numerous factors. These can include your prior criminal background (if any), the use of social media, the value of the items in question, and how many people are alleged to have been involved.
An Orlando organized shoplifting ring lawyer understands the severity of the situation you are facing and can identify all legal challenges to the prosecution’s case. A criminal defense attorney could construct the most compelling defense strategy to your shoplifting charge, but time is of the essence.
Contact our office today to speak with a lawyer about your legal situation and discuss what happens next with your shoplifting case.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
