Shoplifting, also referred to as "retail theft," is one of the most common crimes committed in the country. Even though you may think of a shoplifting charge as relatively minor, the value of the stolen merchandise is what dictates the severity of the crime. If the value is less than $750, you will most likely be charged with a gross misdemeanor, Theft in the Third Degree.
But, if the property stolen is valued at more than $750, you will probably be charged with a felony. And, a felony conviction for a crime of dishonestly will make you virtually unemployable for many years into the future. Our Kirkland shoplifting lawyers can help if you or someone in your family was arrested for retail theft.
The qualified criminal attorneys at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe bring decades of combined criminal and theft experience to every case, and they truly understand the importance of protecting your legal rights at all costs. Any conviction for a theft crime will be a significant red flag to future employers. And, everything legally possible must be done to prevent this outcome.
The information below should be beneficial as you address your shoplifting charge and attempt to determine your legal rights and options moving forward.
First Degree Theft – The crime is considered first degree theft, a Class B felony, if the stolen merchandise was valued at more than $5,000. The punishments for this crime can include up to $20,000 in fines as well as 10 years in prison. The owner of the merchandise could also be awarded civil damages.
Second Degree Theft – The crime is considered second degree theft, a Class C felony, if the value of stolen goods was between $750 and $5,000. Punishment for a conviction could include fines up to $10,000 and five years in prison.
Third Degree Theft – The crime is considered third degree theft, a gross misdemeanor, if the dollar amount of the stolen merchandise was less than $750. Punishment for this conviction could include up to a year in jail and fines totaling $5,000.
A Kirkland theft crime conviction will cause you to have a criminal record, which can have far-reaching effects on your entire life. Our Kirkland shoplifting lawyers will help you deal with these severe charges, as well as any accompanying charges that may have to be addressed.
Let Our Kirkland Shoplifting Lawyers Help Protect Your RightsRegardless of whether someone commits a retail theft deliberately or not, Kirkland prosecutors will often seek to penalize shoplifters to the fullest extent of the law. An innocent person could accidently put a small item in their pocket and unintentionally walk out of a store. But this is obviously the same excuse a guilty party would use. Our Kirkland shoplifting attorneys have seen personally how damaging a shoplifting conviction can be. We urge you to just remain calm and let us handle the details while we investigate your case.
Our Kirkland criminal defense attorneys know the law and the local courts. Our knowledge of the law and familiarity with the local courts is beneficial for all sorts of reasons, and we have extensive experience with many types of shoplifting cases in Kirkland. It is understandable to be embarrassed and worried about the potential outcome of your case, but you cannot let the emotionally draining nature of a Kirkland shoplifting accusation keep you from defending your legal rights.
Please get in touch with one of our Kirkland shoplifting and criminal lawyers today to discuss your situation. We offer payment plans, so you will not have to worry about how much it will cost to retain a professional attorney.
If you're facing a retail theft charge in Kirkland, we cannot overemphasize how important it is to retain quality legal counsel from an attorney you implicitly trust. We are ready to help.