Polk County Shoplifting Attorney
Retail Theft Defense
Shoplifting, also known in Florida law as retail theft, is a crime that is punishable by strict penalties in our courts. In most cases, when the property is valued at less than $300, the charge will be petit theft, a 1 st-degree misdemeanor which can result in a year in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. When the property is valued higher than $300, and certain conditions are met, such as conspiring with other parties to commit the theft, the charge may be increased to a 3rd-degree felony, with up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 in fines. It is a theft crime which involves stealing merchandise, property, money, or negotiable documents from a retail merchant. In addition to outright theft, it can be committed by:
- Removing or modifying product labels or price tags
- Moving merchandise into another container
- Removing a shopping cart from the store property
- Law enforcement officers, as well as merchants, are permitted to detain a suspected shoplifter in order to determine whether a crime has been committed, provided that there is probable cause, such as anti-theft alarms being triggered or evidence appearing on video surveillance monitors. This detention is legally permitted provided that it is done in a reasonable manner and only lasts for a reasonable duration. A merchant who takes a suspect into custody is required to summon a police officer to the scene immediately. If you have been charged with shoplifting, you need to contact an aggressive Polk County criminal defense attorney to help you protect your rights and seek a resolution to the case.
Shoplifting Lawyer in Lakeland
I have been practicing criminal defense for over 20 years, and I have represented many clients on charges similar to those you now face. Many case of shoplifting are best approached by negotiating with the prosecuting attorney to reach a plea bargain or probation with a diversion program. Each case is unique, and when you come to my office I will question you about every aspect of the alleged crime in order to determine the most effective way to address your situation. The judges and prosecutors in our area know me, William D. Sites, Attorney at Law from my long history in the community and I am confident in my ability to defend my clients' interests against charges of shoplifting.
Contact a Polk County shoplifting attorney if you have been charged with retail theft and want to take effective action to clear your name.