Shoplifting is an overwhelming charge to face. Many cases begin with intimidating security guards hovering above the accused in a small holding room. When the door finally opens, a police officer only adds to the fear. He may ask you a few questions but generally takes the store personnel’s word as fact. Then, he either arrests you or issues a citation; it’s entirely his choice. Either way, the result is the same. You’ve just begun a long battle that could affect the rest of your life.
The odds are truly against a defendant accused of shoplifting who is not only facing the power of a prosecutor’s office but many times a corporate victim that has more money, resources, and influence than you can imagine. Although most shoplifting charges in Georgia are misdemeanors, a creative prosecutor or store owner can increase the value of the items allegedly stolen to cross the felony threshold, even after the arrest has occurred. The best way to even the odds is to get an experienced shoplifting criminal defense attorney who knows how to fight the charges.
“But I’m Totally Guilty of Shoplifting!”
Although it may not always seem like it, you are innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law. That doesn’t mean that every case can end in an acquittal. What is does mean, though, is that you have rights. Our lawyers know how to assert those rights and often find defenses you didn’t even know you had. Even when the case is not worth fighting at trial, our criminal defense lawyers are trained to negotiate to get you the best deal possible. When it comes to shoplifting offenses, those deals often include zero jail time and sometimes, no criminal record at all. Even the worst possible cases deserves a trained lawyer to make sure that the bad does not get worse. When we enter into a case, you can rest easy knowing that the outcome you get is the best it could have been.
“Not Me! I’m Innocent!”
The law is imperfect, and innocent people get charged with shoplifting sometimes. When that happens, you need to assert your innocence as soon as possible, at every step along the way. Unfortunately, your voice can often go unheard for a very long time. We make sure the right people hear your story loud and clear. Our lawyers know how to use the legal process to help prove your innocence. In cases where the evidence clearly supports you, we can bring that to the attention of the prosecuting attorney early on to encourage a fast dismissal of your shoplifting charges. Additionally, hiring a lawyer makes sure you don’t lose the opportunity to exercise any of your rights. We use the justice system to your advantage instead of your detriment.
Shoplifting Defense Attorneys at Lankford & Moore Law Can Save Your Case
People charged with shoplifting come from all walks of life – all ages, genders, races, and income ranges. Every case is unique. Therefore, our lawyers take an individualized approach to the shoplifting cases we fight. We investigate the actual facts to see what the best approach is for your needs. Using our legal expertise, we will look for ways to make your case work in your favor. Did you know that most first-time shoplifters can keep their criminal record clean no matter how bad the evidence is against them? Our attorneys fight shoplifting cases in Gwinnett County, Barrow County, Hall County, and other surrounding counties. Let us show you why our clients refer us first.
