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.