Arrested for Shoplifting at Target?
Target is a large, national retailer that specializes in retailing all sorts of goods and food items for lower cost. As a big box container store, Target has grown rapidly to become one of the largest retailers here in the State of Florida and in the United States in general. Getting caught shoplifting or stealing from a Target in Orlando can be a serious offense as Target has a strong anti-shoplifting policy and utilizes the latest security techniques to enforce their anti-theft store policy. Even if you were not arrested but instead issued a notice or summons to appear for court you need to take this charge seriously. Target certainly does prosecute and we can provide help.
If you are facing criminal penalties for shoplifting from Target, be sure to secure the legal services of a seasoned criminal defense attorney. The Orlando theft lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm have over 100 years of combined experience and also have time spent as former prosecutors on the state and local level. We can implement our key insight to help prepare your defense and engage in negotiation to help lessen charge and associated penalties.
Criminal Penalties for Stealing from Target
From electronics, food, furniture, bath items, toys, clothes, lingerie, home furnishings, and a myriad of other items, Target has plenty to choose from. Unfortunately, people end up making mistakes and stealing one of those aforementioned items from the store. Whether it be out of necessity or simply for the thrill, it is still illegal and you can face a range of criminal penalties that vary depending on the value of goods stolen. Under Florida § 812.014, the penalties for shoplifting are as follows:
Valued Under $100 | Second-Degree Misdemeanor | Petit Theft
- Up to 60 days in jail
- Up to six months probation
- $500 in fines
Valued $100 to $300 | First-Degree Misdemeanor | Petit Theft
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to 1 year on probation
- $1000 in fines
Valued Over $300 | Felony | Grand Theft
- Up to 5 years in prison
- Up to 5 years on probation
- Up to $5000 in fines
If you’re caught shoplifting with an accomplice, the State will combine the total amount stolen and charge you both accordingly. For example, if you stole $50 worth of goods and your partner stole $275 worth of goods, you both could face grand theft charges. In addition to potential jail time, Target also has the freedom to ban you from all Target stores.
Contact an Orlando Shoplifting Attorney
Target has a multitude of stores in the Central Florida area and their security teams are not hesitant to detain someone they suspect of stealing and informing the authorities. If you ever find yourself in such an unfortunate situation, be sure to waste little time in securing legal representation. Hiring the right attorney at the right time can be critical to the outcome of your case.
Contact the Orlando theft lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm for a free case evaluation today. We can advise you of your rights under Florida Law and go over the criminal process of Arraignment, Pretrial, Trial, Docket Sounding, and inform you of your eligibility for first-time offender programs such as Pretrial Diversion or Intervention.
In some cases, if you honestly made a mistake, our lawyers may be able to convince the prosecutors to drop the charges, or if it’s your first offense, we may be able to enroll you in a program where the charge can be dropped and then later expunged off your record. Having tried hundreds of cases in Florida courtrooms as former prosecutors and with over 100 years of collective experience between our attorneys, we’ll put our best foot forward to ensure that you are in good hands. Please call us today for a free case review.
