Individuals who take things from a place of business without providing payment can be charged with shoplifting in Long Beach. You can end up facing harsh legal penalties if you are accused of shoplifting. A conviction can lead to fines and time in a county jail.
Beating a shoplifting charge can be difficult if you attempt it on your own. Fortunately, professional help is only a phone call away. The Simmrin Law Group can start building your defense today. Our team of shoplifting lawyers in Long Beach knows what it takes to successfully defend clients in your situation.
Shoplifting and Petty Theft in Long Beach
The legal definition for shoplifting covers very specific acts. In order to be convicted of shoplifting, someone must:
- Enter an Open Business
- While Intending to Take Up to $950
This means that shoplifting is the act of intending to commit petty theft. If you actually exit a business with stolen property, you are committing petty theft. This distinction is important because the court cannot charge you with both shoplifting and petty theft.
You should be aware that both shoplifting and petty theft are usually treated as misdemeanors in the state of California. However, shoplifting may be treated more harshly in some situations.
Note that if you enter a place of business and take more than $950 you will be charged with burglary, which is a more serious crime in Long Beach. You may also face more severe charges if you have a criminal record for:
- Homicide
- Some Sex Crimes
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Long Beach, call (310) 896-2723
Punishments for Shoplifting in Long Beach
Shoplifting is a serious criminal act that can lead to harsh penalties. If you are charged with misdemeanor shoplifting you could face the following repercussions:
- Fines of Up to $1,000
- Jail Time of Up to 6 Months
The fines that you are forced to pay will likely exceed $1,000 after court fees and other surcharges are added. Note that the penalties for petty theft match the penalties for basic shoplifting. More serious acts of shoplifting can lead to:
- Fines of Up to $10,000
- Jail Time of Up to 3 Years
- Felony Probation
Here at the Simmrin Law Group, we can defend you from misdemeanor or felony accusations of shoplifting. You will have the best chance for beating a shoplifting charge if you get professional help on your side from a Long Beach criminal defense lawyer right away.
Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Defenses Against Shoplifting Charges in Long Beach
A shoplifting charge does not have to end in a conviction. Our team of shoplifting lawyers will dig into your case to determine the best possible defense for your situation. We may be able to successfully argue that:
You Did Not Intend to Shoplift
Sometimes, we put things in our cart and forget about them. Walking out with a product that got buried by accident is not shoplifting.
You Were Wrongly Accused
Police officers and business owners sometimes make mistakes. We can help if you were accused of stealing something you didn’t take.
You Suffered Police Misconduct
We see may examples of police misconduct with shoplifting cases. Officers of the law are often impatient to hand down a charge. They may violate your rights by carrying out an unreasonable search or even planting evidence on your person. In some cases, a police officer could even coerce you into giving a confession. Any of these acts could allows us to get the charges against you dismissed.
Building a successful defense for a shoplifting case takes time. You will have the best chances for winning your case if you contact a shoplifting lawyer right away. Let us provide you with the aggressive defense you need as soon as you are accused of shoplifting.
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Put Your Trust in Our Long Beach Shoplifting Lawyers
Understanding your legal options after a shoplifting accusation is very important. You do not just have to accept a conviction. Our shoplifting lawyers in Long Beach have a reputation for helping clients beat these charges. You can reach out to the Simmrin Law Group to get the professional help you need by calling (310) 896-2723 of completing our online contact form.
Don’t wait to start building your defense. Contact us for a FREE case evaluation today.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form