Shoplifting is a form of theft that can result in severe legal outcomes if you are charged and convicted with this crime. While shoplifting can be a misdemeanor, there are many cases where it is a felony instead.
Any felony conviction carries much harsher legal consequences, including longer periods of incarceration and higher financial penalties. Certain elements specific to the facts of the alleged offense can mitigate or aggravate shoplifting charge.
A criminal attorney can explain the aggravating factors in Orlando shoplifting cases that may apply to your charge, identify the most effective defense strategies, and work tirelessly to reduce or eliminate the criminal consequences you face.
Shoplifting, or retail theft, is a crime that constitutes a variety of illegal actions related to retail merchandise. For example, removing or changing price tags, putting merchandise in a pocket or purse to avoid payment, or changing a product from one container to another to get a cheaper price are all forms of shoplifting. Removing a shopping cart from a store, using a device that prevents security tag detection, or putting smaller products inside larger ones to reduce the payment total are also forms of shoplifting.
A key aggravating factor for the various types of shoplifting charges is the value of the goods or products in question. Shoplifting goods with modest valuations may lead to petit theft charges. While petit theft is a misdemeanor, shoplifting crimes charged as grand theft are felony offenses. Even so, petit theft of goods valued between $100 and $750 can still subject you to up to 12 months in jail plus fines, as this is a first-degree misdemeanor offense.
For shoplifting goods valued between $750 and $20,000 the crime is grand theft and a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in jail. Shoplifting goods valued between $20,000 and $100,000 is a second-degree felony while grand theft of goods over $100,000 is a first-degree felony. Those felony classifications are punishable by up to 15 years and 30 years in jail, respectively.
In addition to jail time, other penalties may include fines and a permanent criminal record that can haunt you for the rest of your life. An Orlando attorney can help you understand the aggravating factors relevant to your shoplifting charge while identifying the best ways to combat them.
In addition to the value of the item or items in question, many other aggravating factors can apply to Orlando shoplifting cases. Prior and recent convictions for shoplifting are an aggravating factor that can not only upgrade the class of offense charged but increase the potential legal punishments.
The methods used to engage in shoplifting, such as participating in a shoplifting ring or using social media to incite others to join in can aggravate the penalties you face. The frequency with which someone engages in retail theft, such as a series of shoplifting acts over the course of a few months, can upgrade a charge form a misdemeanor to a felony.
In other words, if you participate in a shoplifting ring or steal multiple items over a relatively short period of time, you will spend more time in jail and pay higher fines if convicted. The object being taken can also aggravate the charge. For example, harsher penalties apply if the shoplifted item was a firearm, a motor vehicle, or a controlled substance.
Fighting any criminal charge can be a daunting ordeal, and this is no exception. An attorney can work diligently to mitigate or eliminate the lasting repercussions of a shoplifting conviction while providing dedicated legal support for your case.
Aggravating factors in Orlando shoplifting cases can make a significant difference in the legal consequences attached to a specific charge. A member of our team can examine the prosecution’s evidence and identify any flaws or weaknesses that could be leveraged to mitigate your charge.
If you have been charged with shoplifting, you need an experienced law firm to fight for your freedom, reputation, and future. We can provide aggressive representation and legal insight at each stage of your case.
Contact us today to receive your one-on-one case consultation and learn if aggravating factors will play a part in this case.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
