The Hallam Law Group has helped hundreds of clients defend their rights in the criminal courts of Scottsdale. Our felony shoplifting lawyers believe in a balanced justice system where criminal defendants have strong, aggressive, and dependable legal representation supporting them. We work around the clock to help defendants in all types of cases, including felony shoplifting, combat the prosecution and secure the best possible case outcomes.
Contact the Hallam Law Group if police caught you shoplifting and the State is pressing felony charges against you. A conviction may lead to a future filled with severe consequences. However, the right Scottsdale criminal defense attorney can make a world of difference in your case. Our felony shoplifting lawyers understand the law, have experience in complex criminal litigation and know how to create an aggressive defense strategy for the best possible outcome for your case.
Call (602) 237-5373 to speak with a felony shoplifting lawyer for free about your case today.
Arizona Criminal Code Section 13-1805 describes shoplifting as knowingly obtaining the goods from an establishment that displays merchandise for sale, with the intent to deprive the establishment of the goods. One can commit shoplifting by removing goods from a display without paying, charging the price of the goods to a person who doesn’t exist or who did not give permission to do so, paying less than the purchase price of the goods by “trick or artifice,” transferring goods into a different container, or concealing the goods.
Shoplifting might not be a petty offense depending on the value of goods taken. Arizona law takes high-value shoplifting seriously. Here are the possible offenses for theft:
Shoplifters may face a Class 4 felony charge in Arizona if they have a past shoplifting, robbery, burglary, theft, or organized retail theft conviction. It is also a Class 4 felony to shoplift with the assistance of an instrument, device, container, or artifice.
The penalties for felony shoplifting can be severe, ranging from one to almost four years in jail, months or years of probation, fines, and/or mandatory community service. A felony shoplifting conviction will remain part of your permanent record forever.
We may be able to use defenses such as lack of intent. The Scottsdale felony shoplifting attorney will need to prove that you walked out of the store or took an item without the intent to deprive the store or person of the item. Perhaps you didn’t realize you had the item, left the store in a state of distraction, or meant only to show it to someone else before returning it to the shelf. Security tape footage and possibly your medical history could help support this type of defense, for both adults and juvenile crime in Scottsdale.
In other cases, it may be possible to get the courts to drop the charges if the store signs a declaration that says it received the stolen property back and reimbursement for legal or investigation fees. The courts might drop the charges via a Motion for Civil Compromise if the store does not wish to press charges.
Reach out to our team to learn more about how we can help.
The Hallam Law group prides itself on coming up with the top defense strategy for each individual client. Call (602) 237-5373 or submit your query online for a free legal consultation at our Scottsdale firm. Our experienced felony shoplifting attorneys can give you the help you need.