Terre Haute Shoplifting Lawyer
Being charged with shoplifting is more serious than you might think. To minimize the damage such a charge could cause in your life, work with a Terre Haute shoplifting charge lawyer.
To many, a shoplifting charge initially appears to be nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Those convicted of a misdemeanor theft charge may not spend much time in jail because prosecutors have bigger fish to fry, but believing your charges won’t hurt you is a mistake.
Theft charges can impact you in many more ways than just time spent behind bars—they can seriously ruin your life. Even minor theft charges will go on your permanent criminal record, forever poisoning potential employers against you. Speak with a Terre Haute shoplifting lawyer at our firm before signing that plea agreement.
Penalties for Retail Theft in Terre Haute
In Indiana, shoplifting charges fall under broader categories of theft and conversion. Whether you will be charged with a misdemeanor or felony will depend on the value of the items taken, your criminal history, whether you’re a repeat offender, and other aggravating factors.
See the table below for a better understanding of basic shoplifting and theft charges in Terre Haute:
| Offense | Classification | Penalties |
| Shoplifting/theft of property under $750 value | Class A misdemeanor | Up to one year in jail, $5,000 fine |
| Shoplifting/theft of property between $750 and $50,000 value | Level 6 felony | Between six months and two and a half years in prison, up to $10,000 fine |
| Shoplifting/theft of property over $50,000 value | Level 5 felony | Between one and six years in prison, up to $10,000 fine |
Defenses Against Terre Haute Shoplifting Charges
Two of the top reasons people charged with shoplifting in Terre Haute accept a plea deal without speaking with an attorney first are as follows:
- Because they don’t think the crime is a big deal, and they want to just put it behind them
- Because they believe there is no way to avoid a conviction
Neither of these reasons are based in fact. Shoplifting charges can be a very big deal, and there are always ways for a Terre Haute criminal lawyer to defend against a retail theft charge. Here are a few examples of ways your Terre Haute shoplifting attorney could defend you, depending on the unique circumstances of your case:
- Lack of intent
- Police procedural errors
- Falsely accused
- Entrapment
- Mistake of fact
- Mistaken identity
- Miscalculation of the value of item taken
Speak With a Terre Haute Retail Theft Attorney
There are defenses against shoplifting charges, but without a qualified defense attorney by your side, you might not know how to build a defense that will work for your unique circumstances. Your attorney can possibly negotiate a reduction in your charge and, in some cases, may be able to argue for a complete dismissal.
At Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm, your case becomes our case. We will do everything possible to reduce the impact of a theft charge on your life and future. To speak with a Terre Haute shoplifting lawyer, call 1-812-232-7400 or fill out the contact form below.
