In Illinois, anytime someone steals an item or merchandise from a retail store, they have committed retail theft that is punishable by law. Depending on the retail value of the stolen items and your criminal background record, you could be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor or a Class 3 Felony offense, with up to $25, 000 in fines and up to 5 years serving jail time.
Being charged with a criminal offense, like retail theft, requires an effective criminal defense attorney with a wide range of legal experience and a full understanding of criminal law. At the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney, located in Chicago, Illinois, veteran attorney Hal M. Garfinkel has over 20 years of legal experience and is available to represent clients throughout Illinois, in Dupage County, Cook County, Kane County, Will County and Lake County.
Contact the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney for a free initial consultation if you’ve been charged with retail theft or any other state criminal offense. Available 24/7 by phone, fax, or email, Hal M. Garfinkel offers professional legal guidance and can help you avoid conviction. Call 312-629-0669 to speak with a knowledgeable retail theft attorney today.
Philadelphia Retail Theft Lawyer
Having criminal retail theft charges brought against you can affect both your personal and professional life. It may be difficult to get a job or rent an apartment if you have a criminal history that shows up on the background check.
Attorney Hal M. Garfinkel has successfully handled all types of criminal defense cases involving felonies and misdemeanors, and he is able to provide you with the utmost attention to detail regarding your retail theft case. When you need an attorney who is ready to fight for you, Hal M. Garfinkel is the one who can advocate for you.
Contact the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney if you need to speak with a retail theft attorney. Call 312-629-0669 for a free initial consultation. You don’t have any time to lose, call today.Common retail theft acts include changing a price tag on an item, causing the cash register to ring up a lower value, removing the anti-theft device or putting items in your purse or stroller.
Fort Worth Theft Defense Lawyer
Summary offense. Retail theft is a summary offense if it is a person’s first offense and the value of the merchandise is under $150.00. A person could face a maximum fine of $300.00 and 90 days’ imprisonment.
Misdemeanor – 2nd Degree. Retail theft is a second degree misdemeanor if it is a second offense and the value of the merchandise is under $150.00. A person could face a maximum fine of $5, 000.00 and 2 years’ imprisonment.
Misdemeanor – 1st Degree. Retail theft is a misdemeanor of the first degree when it is a first or second offense and the value is $150.00 or more. A person could face a maximum fine of $10, 000.00 and 5 years’ imprisonment.
Montgomery County Retail Theft Lawyer
Felony. Retail theft is a felony of the third degree when the offense is a third or subsequent offense, regardless of the value of the merchandise. It is a felony of the third degree when the amount involved is greater than $1, 000.00 or if the merchandise is a firearm or a motor vehicle. A person could face a maximum fine of $15, 000.00 and 7 years’ imprisonment.
Under 42 P.S. 8308, a civil action may cause the court to award actual damages to the merchant, return of merchandise, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
Intent is a key element of retail theft in PA. If a person is found to be intentionally concealing merchandise either on the premises or outside the premises of the store that has not yet been purchased from a store, there will be a prima facie presumption that the person had the intention of depriving the merchant of the possession of the merchandise without paying full value for it.
Organized Retail Theft (pc 490.4)
If there is other evidence to substantiate the crime, the conviction is not avoided merely because the prosecution cannot produce the stolen merchandise.
If the merchant’s employee or another agent of the merchant has probable cause to believe that a retail theft has occurred, then that individual may detain the suspect in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable amount of time to verify the identity of the suspect, investigate whether the suspect has unpurchased merchandise, to recover possession of unpurchased merchandise, and/or contact law enforcement.
All elements of the crime have to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in order for a successful prosecution. One element of the retail theft crime is intent. Intent can be presumed when the merchandise is concealed on the person. The evidence of concealment must be definitive. If goods are not found to be concealed and there is no other evidence of intent, the Commonwealth will often not meet its burden.
Chicago Retail Theft Attorney
There must also be probable cause to conduct a lawful detention and search of an individual. If there is no probable cause, then there will most likely not be a conviction.
Hiring a lawyer who advocates for you will show the officer and the Judge that you are taking this matter seriously and it will increase your chances of a successful outcome. Contact our criminal defense attorneys at (215) 646-3980 to discuss the facts and circumstances surrounding your detention and the arrest for retail theft.
If you have received a citation or charges for any of the above, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away. The criminal process has strict time limitations for scheduling and appearing for hearings as well as entering a plea. A criminal defense lawyer can assist you with preparing a proper defense and resolving your case. Contact us at (215) 646-3980.
Dupage County Theft Defense Attorney
Our legal team provides individualized legal solutions for our clients by offering high quality legal counsel and representation in diverse areas of law. Our attorneys regularly represent clients throughout
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.You may need to figure out what to do if the police charge you with retail theft in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, if a judge finds you guilty of shoplifting, you may face fines, court costs, and jail time. As an experienced Pennsylvania retail theft lawyer, I will discuss the penalties for this crime and how to successfully fight a retail theft case. Furthermore, many programs are available to first-time offenders to help them avoid a permanent criminal record.
You should speak to an experienced PA retail theft attorney as soon as possible. We can set up a consultation, make arrangements to interview witnesses, and take steps to preserve evidence. Also, I have over a decade of experience providing skilled and aggressive representation to individuals charged with retail theft in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, and surrounding Pennsylvania Counties.
Petty Theft & Shoplifting Lawyer In Chino, Pomona & Ontario
Are you trying to locate a qualified and highly-rated shoplifting attorney near me? If so, I can explain the charges against you, investigate your case, discuss your legal options, and prepare you for your upcoming court appearances.
Contact me at (215) 752-5282 for a free initial consultation, or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response. Appointments are available after business hours and on weekends.
I will thoroughly examine and investigate the facts of your case to identify any available defenses to contest the charges in court. The most common legal defenses to retail theft charges may include any of the following:
Retail Fraud Defense Attorneys In Michigan (we Can Help You!)
Retail stores often employ loss prevention specialists who monitor shoplifting crimes using video surveillance devices and other security methods. However, in many cases, the loss prevention employees have minimal security experience.
Store loss prevention employees are not trained to accurately identify persons committing shoplifting crimes. Despite this, many retail chains will actively pursue criminal prosecutions against innocent individuals suspected of shoplifting merchandise from their stores.
A growing trend in retail theft prevention is using artificial intelligence (AI), often referred to as machine intelligence. Furthermore, most retail stores have AI software added to store security cameras, traditional store registers, and self-checkout machines. Additionally, the AI software is programmed to analyze suspicious activity by a shopper based on more than different behavioral cues.
Can Retail Theft Be A Felony In Illinois?
No. The AI software will often alert store personnel through an app if a shopper demonstrates suspicious activity based on the program’s pre-set algorithm. Unfortunately, artificial intelligence software is not 100% accurate. Consequently, artificial intelligence software does not detect human error or other lawful, innocent explanations for suspicious behavior cues.
A false positive occurs when the self-checkout security system misinterprets innocent customer behavior as possible retail theft. Examples include situations where the customer has actually scanned and paid for all their items.
Also, other false positives can occur when a customer fails to scan merchandise due to a mistake, distraction, or confusion. Under the circumstances, you may have a complete defense to the shoplifting charges.
New Jersey Retail Theft Lawyer
As the display on the chart indicates, PA retail theft sentencing guidelines will vary depending on the value of
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