Areas of Practice
Shoplifting
Shoplifting is defined as “The unlawful taking of merchandise from a store” and can be accomplished in a number of ways, including: concealing tags or wrappers while wearing the clothes or after eating food, switching tags on merchandise or modifying labels, and walking out of a store without paying for goods or paying the bill. Shoplifting can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on both the value of the merchandise stolen and the criminal record of the accused. Shoplifting is considered petty theft when the value of the merchandise stolen is less than $400, and is considered grand theft when the value of the merchandise is greater than $400.
In California, shoplifting is a common offense that often comes with serious penalties, which can include jail time, probation, and community service, in conjunction with the mark on your criminal record that will affect obtaining future employment and security clearances, and will also be an embarrassment to you and your friends and family. By getting an experienced criminal defense attorney involved in your case, you may be able to get your shoplifting charge reduced to a trespassing or disturbing the peace charge, especially if the evidence is weak or there are no corroborating witnesses or video available. Other services the law offices of Jeffery Rubenstein can provide are:
- Alternatives to jail or other severe penalties
- Bail reduction
- Reduction of charges
- Reductions of penalties or jail time
- Apprising you of your rights
- Non-criminal resolution of charges
The law offices of Jeffrey Rubenstein are well-known and respected in the Southern California area by judges, prosecutors and police officials, and should be the first phone call you make when you are charged with shoplifting. Call the law offices of Jeffrey Rubenstein 24 hours a day at 310-477-2100 or email jkrlaw@gmail.com and receive a free consultation with the most experienced and savvy criminal defense attorneys in Southern California.