A Brooklyn Shoplifting Lawyer would agree that Shoplifting is a “quality of life crime.” This term is used to describe offenses that are a drain on law enforcement and the legal system alike. Legally, Shoplifting is called Petit Larceny. New York Penal Law section 155.25 sets out this crime, which is the taking of the property of another that is valued at $1,000. or less. If the value of the property is over $1,000., then it is Grand Larceny. Petit Larceny is punishable by up to one year in prison, and is a class A misdemeanor. If you have been arrested for a theft offense such as Credit Card Fraud, robbery, Shoplifting, or even Burglary, it is extremely important to be represented by a Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer from our team. You could be facing both criminal and civil penalties.
If you have been apprehended in a department store for Shoplifting, a Brooklyn Shoplifting Lawyer would advise you to never sign anything. Store security will go to great lengths to encourage you to confess either verbally, or by signing something. Never sign anything, and ask to speak with your lawyer.
When you are arrested, the police have to ways they can proceed. They can book you in jail, and hold you until your arraignment in front of a judge. Or they can issue you a desk appearance ticket (DAT). If you are issued a DAT, you will be free to leave. You must however appear in court on the date and crime specified on your ticket.
The Kings County Office of the District Attorney strictly enforces petite larceny cases. They believe this crime can lead to larger ones. Many people are unaware that a conviction of this misdemeanor will result in the defendant having a criminal record. Moreover, this record is public. This means that anyone doing a background check can access this information. Therefore, the consequences for stealing a $100 item can be quite serious as employers may require a background check. It is important to be sure that an experienced Brooklyn Shoplifting Lawyer represents you throughout your legal proceedings from our team.
If you have been arrested for a theft crime, it is important to protect your interests. There are also civil statutes that enable a store merchant to sue you in civil court for up to 5 times the value of the items taken. Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC for advice and a free case consultation. We will create and aggressive defense strategy for your case and ensure that your rights are protected. We have offices to serve you throughout New York including Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens. We also have locations in Westchester County, as well as Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island. Call our office today to schedule your free appointment at 800.696.9529.