Frederick Shoplifting Lawyer

If you are facing charges of shoplifting, you are probably feeling a wide range of emotions, including fear, anxiety, and a great deal of embarrassment. Your first instinct may be to accept the blame and hope the humiliating experience goes away as quickly as possible. However, our theft attorneys advise that admitting fault is often not the best solution, particularly when a conviction carries potentially life-altering consequences.

A skilled Frederick shoplifting lawyer from Rolle & DeLorenzo can review the details of the allegations against you and help you determine the best path forward.

Understanding Shoplifting Charges

State law does not have a separate statute to address retail theft crimes. Instead, people accused of shoplifting face criminal charges under the same general theft statute as other, more serious forms of theft. According to Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 7-104, a theft occurs when someone knowingly or intentionally takes or takes control over someone else’s property.

In cases of shoplifting, people can face charges before they even exit the store where the alleged crime took place. Hiding an item in a bag and walking past the checkout line can constitute shoplifting even if you never actually left the store with the allegedly stolen item. Simply hiding the item shows that you intentionally took control of the property.

People can also face shoplifting charges if they alter or remove an item’s price tag to make the item cheaper. Paying a lower price for an item constitutes theft because it deprives the store of the item’s full retail value.

Speaking with our knowledgeable Frederick criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible after learning that you are facing shoplifting charges is essential. Our team can help you understand the charges and work with you to devise the best possible defense strategy.

What Are the Potential Penalties for Shoplifting Crimes?

Maryland Courts treat all theft crimes seriously. The possible penalties that you face for retail theft generally depend on the value of the item you allegedly stole and whether you have any previous criminal convictions.

For first-time offenders, the possible penalties are as follows:

• For an item valued under $100, the charge would be a misdemeanor with a maximum of 90 days in jail and a maximum fine of $500
• For an item valued between $100 and $1,500, a misdemeanor charge could result in a maximum of six months in jail and a maximum fine of $500
• For an item valued over $1,500 but less than $25,000, the charge would be a more serious felony with a maximum prison term of five years and up to a $10,000 fine
• For items worth more than $25,000 but less than $100,000, the felony charges may send you to prison for up to 10 years and obligate you to pay a fine of up to $15,000
• For items valued at over $100,000, a felony charge incurs a maximum of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000

Repeat offenders face potentially more serious penalties with each subsequent conviction, which is why fighting the charges and trying to prevent even a first-time conviction is critical. Our dedicated Frederick lawyers will aggressively fight your shoplifting charges to achieve the best possible outcome.

Call Our Frederick Shoplifting Attorneys Today

While many people consider shoplifting to be a minor offense, you need to take retail theft charges seriously because a criminal conviction will likely have a damaging effect on the rest of your life. In addition to facing prison time, the stigma of a conviction could affect your professional and personal relationships.

Call a Frederick shoplifting lawyer at Rolle & DeLorenzo today and let us protect your rights.