Orlando Criminal Lawyer for Shoplifting Defense

Most shoplifting cases involve someone taking something from the store without paying, but if the customer defrauded the shop in some manner, it is still considered shoplifting. For example, if you put fake price tags on your groceries before checking out, you would be shoplifting, even though you paid for the food. If you have been accused of shoplifting, please call an Orlando criminal lawyer from The Law Office of The Orlando Criminal Attorney.

Florida has notoriously strict statutes against shoplifting and you can be charged with the crime even if you had not left the store yet or if it was a simple accident. If you put something in your pocket with the intent to pay for it at the register, you could be arrested before you even reach the register. Or, if you had a case of soda at the bottom of your cart and forgot to pay for it at the register, you could be charged with shoplifting. That is why it is so important that you have a top Orlando criminal attorney to help defend you against these charges.

Our Criminal Attorney Can Find Flaws in the Evidence

Many of these arrests are performed by employees or security guards. While civilian arrests are not legal, the use of excessive force and illegal searches can still render the evidence against you inadmissible due to rights violations. In many of these cases, your Orlando criminal lawyer can even have the charges against you dropped.

If the value of the stolen items are less than $300, the crime will be a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and $1000 in fines. If more than this was taken though, you could be charged with a felony and by put in prison for up to 5 years and be forced to pay $5000 in fines. In many felony cases though, your Orlando criminal attorney can negotiate with the prosecution to have your charges reduced to a misdemeanor in exchange for your willingness to plead guilty.

If you have been accused of shoplifting, please contact our offices and schedule a consultation.