TOP SHOPLIFTING LAWYERS IN BRADENTON AND SARASOTA 

• You Had No Intention to Steal – If you got stopped and arrested before you left the store, you may have a defense based on lack of intent (or lack of evidence of intent) to steal. Simply putting something in your pocket or in your purse is not a crime. If you had every intention of paying for the merchandise at issue, you are not a criminal, and you do not deserve to have a criminal record.
• You Accidentally Left Without Paying – This happens all the time. If you forgot to get something out of the bottom of your shopping cart or two items you were intending to purchase got stuck together, you are not a shoplifter. This is a common scenario that does not have any criminal implications.
• Misidentification – If an eyewitness misidentified you as a shoplifter, or if a security guard mistakenly stopped you instead of someone else, you don’t deserve to bear the consequences of someone else’s mistake. Whether you were racially profiled or it was truly a case of mistaken identity, you deserve to have your shoplifting charge dismissed as promptly as possible.
• Violation of Your Rights – If the police searched you in violation of the Fourth Amendment, if prosecutors have withheld exculpatory evidence, or if the government has violated your rights in any other way, you may be able to use this to avoid a conviction. In this scenario, the government’s evidence against you may be inadmissible in court, and you may be entitled to an acquittal without the need to go to trial.
• Lack of Evidence – Even if the government has not violated your rights, prosecutors still may not have the evidence they need to secure a conviction. If prosecutors cannot prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, then it does not matter whether you actually shoplifted. As a result, even if you think you are guilty, you should not assume that the outcome of your case is a foregone conclusion.
• Negotiating a Plea Bargain – If you shoplifted and prosecutors can prove it, your best defense strategy may be to negotiate a plea bargain. By negotiating a plea bargain, you can play a role in determining the outcome of your case, and you can avoid the risk of facing a maximum sentence at trial. A Bradenton or Sarasota shoplifting lawyer at Fowler Law Group can help you decide if negotiating a plea bargain is your best option.

IS IT WORTH HIRING A BRADENTON OR SARASOTA SHOPLIFTING LAWYER?

While people often assume that shoplifting is a minor crime, this is not the case—at least not in Florida. At a minimum, a shoplifting conviction carries the potential for a 60-day jail sentence. As a result, it is absolutely worth hiring a shoplifting lawyer if you have been arrested. Your lawyer will be able to evaluate the facts of your case to determine what defenses you have available, and then your lawyer can use the available evidence (or lack thereof) to protect you to the fullest extent possible.

Also, keep in mind that fines and jail time are not the only possible consequences of a shoplifting conviction in Florida. For both adults and juveniles, having a criminal record can limit job opportunities, and it can have various other practical consequences as well. 

IS IT POSSIBLE TO AVOID JAIL TIME FOR SHOPLIFTING IN FLORIDA? 

Yes, it is possible to avoid jail time for shoplifting in many cases. While all levels of shoplifting offenses carry possible jail time, this does not necessarily mean that you will go to jail if you have been arrested. First, the prosecution might not be able to meet its burden of proof. If the State cannot prove that you are guilty, then you are entitled to walk free. Second, even if you committed a crime, your shoplifting lawyer may be able to help you avoid jail time by negotiating a plea bargain, seeking pre-trial diversion or arguing for a lenient sentence at trial.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WAS CAUGHT SHOPLIFTING?

If you were caught shoplifting in Florida, you should talk to a shoplifting lawyer as soon as possible. Do not assume that you will be found guilty or that there is nothing you can do to avoid fines and jail time. There are several possible defenses to shoplifting, and there are various ways a shoplifting lawyer can help you avoid steep penalties even if you committed a crime. You have a lot at stake, and you owe it to yourself and your family to consider all options you have available.

IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN ARRESTED, CONTACT A SARASOTA OR BRADENTON SHOPLIFTING LAWYER FOR HELP

Shoplifting is not thought of as harmless hijinks by kids anymore. Now, they face serious consequences, as do adults. If you or a minor child has been arrested for shoplifting, let a Bradenton or Sarasota shoplifting lawyer defend you and work to minimize your consequences. Contact us for your free consultation.