Shoplifting Defense Attorney in New York City

Petit Larceny / Petty Theft in NYC

Shoplifting, a form of theft in which products are discreetly stolen from stores, is considered a "quality of life" crime. To law enforcement officers, judges, and court administrators, quality of life crimes are seen as a bane on the justice system, unnecessarily raising costs and wasting time. As such, shoplifting is prosecuted more harshly than many might expect, and it is imperative that you retain an experienced New York City criminal defense attorney if you wish to avoid the penalties of a conviction.

Criminal Shoplifting Penalties

Most shoplifting crimes are misdemeanors. The severity of the charge is dependent on the value of the item stolen: for items or groups of items valued at less than $1,000, it is charged as "petit larceny." Petit larceny is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, probation, criminal fines, or any combination of those penalties. Shoplifting an item or group of items that are valued at more than $1,000 is charged as "grand larceny," which is a felony offense. Fourth degree grand larceny, or, shoplifting between $1,000 and $3,000 worth of goods, is a class E felony and is punishable by up to four years in prison, in addition to probation and criminal fines. Goods valued at more than $3,000 but less than $50,000 are classified as third degree grand larceny and are charged as class D felonies. Conviction of a third degree larceny offense could result in as many as seven years in prison, as well as thousands of dollars in fines, probation, and community service.

Obtaining Legal Representation after a New York City Arrest

Although the security guards or police officers may have made it seem like they had an open and shut case, they could have been lying or overstating their case. There are many potential defenses against shoplifting crimes, which is why it is important that you do not ever confess to a crime, and call a lawyer as soon as possible after being detained or arrested.

If you have been charged with shoplifting in New York City, you need to ensure that your future is well-defended and that you have quality, skilled legal representation who will unwaveringly focus on your case, your freedom, and your rights. The experienced NYC criminal defense attorneys at Hochheiser & Hochheiser LLP understand the importance of a thorough investigation and aggressive defense of your constitutional rights.

Contact a NYC shoplifting defense lawyer at our firm if you or someone you love has been arrested for shoplifting.