Whether you’re poor, rich, or somewhere in between, a criminal charge for shoplifting can be seen as indicative of your moral nature, and worth fighting if not for anything more than the sake of your good name.
Criminal records have a serious impact on your ability to move forward within many of society’s establishments, and your character in the eyes of individuals making it of the utmost importance to fight such allegations.
Arrested for Shoplifting?
Contact Attorney Joseph Gagliardi Immediately at 713-224-6277
When a person is accused of shoplifting by retail staff in a department store like Walmart, Target, or Macy’s they are immediately thrust into a stressful an embarrassing situation.
When a person is falsely accused of shoplifting matters become even more complicated. Regardless of whether you are guilty or innocent of retail theft being found guilty and convicted of such an offense will label you as an untrustworthy thief of limited moral stature.
Having such a negative distinction following you around will have an impact on your career options, your criminal records, all personal background checks performed by the public, and will even eliminate you from qualification for management positions with Fortune 500 companies.
Although person can survive with a criminal record showing a theft, it’s best to fight these charges if you’ve been accused of such a crime, or to have the criminal record sealed and expunged if your case qualifies for such a legal motion. Attorney Joseph Gagliardi and the staff at The Gagliardi Law Firm, PLLC are available to answer any questions you have in this regard.
Shoplifting Convictions & Criminal Penalties
The criminal penalties for shoplifting, for persons convicted, is largely related to the value of the item or items that served as the target of the theft. Texas shoplifting related law is written in such a way as to accelerate the penalties for shoplifting as the value of the theft increases.
A person accused of stealing an item worth less than $50 face penalties that are less severe than a person accused of stealing something valued at over $10,000. The chart listed below illustrates how Texas criminal law is applied when a person is convicted of shoplifting in the court of law.
| TEXAS SHOPLIFTING PENALTY CHART |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | CLASS | PENALTY | MAX FINE |
| Less Than $50 |
Class C Misdemeanor |
Fine | $500 |
| $50 - $500 |
Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 180D County Jail | $2,000 |
| $500 - $1,500 |
Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1YR County Jail | $4,000 |
| $1,500 - $20,000 |
State Jail Felony | 180D to 2YR State Jail | $10,000 |
In addition to the potential for jail time and fines, a person will also have to deal with a criminal record, probation, and the stigma of being labeled a thief. Attorney Joseph Gagliardi has vast experience defending persons accused of theft related crimes and may be able to have your case dismissed.
If you have any questions about your case, and you need to speak with an experienced qualified Houston criminal defense attorney, call our law office at 713-224-6277.
All Shoplifting Cases Are Prosecuted
Regardless of whether you attempted to steal thousands of dollars’ worth of diamonds from a Houston jewelry store, or you attempted to steal a $3 bag of chips from Walmart, you can expect the retail chains to take swift action and fiercely prosecute anyone caught attempting to steal from them.
Retailers and major chains are serious about combating the threat posed by shoplifting to their businesses and was use trained anti-theft staff, security cameras, electronic security tags, and will even lock items in glass cases and post shoplifting warnings in the store in an attempt to curb shoplifting occurrences.
When a person is charged with shoplifting expect the retail chains to attempt to make an example of the defendant. Even if it’s for an item worth less than $10 you can expect to be pursued in criminal court.
With organizations like the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, and Shoplifters Anonymous (Kleptomaniacs Anonymous), people often overlook or are unaware of how seriously retailers take the threat of shoplifting and how it has been defined as a possible psychological disorder.
Houston Shoplifting Defense Attorney
It’s Best To Ask The Court For Case Dismissal
Attorney Joseph M. Gagliardi is ready to talk with you about the situation which created the shoplifting arrest in the first place. The best strategy for fighting allegations of shoplifting is to pursue case dismissal due to a lack of evidence.
We’re able to help a lot of our clients who, for some reason or another, found themselves facing Harris County’s prosecutors on a shoplifting charge.
If you’re innocent we’ll fight you. If you’re guilty we’ll look for a way out. If you need to talk with an attorney that’s experienced when it comes to fighting shoplifting charges in Houston, contact us.