Categorized: Minnetonka

Minnetonka Shoplifting Lawyer

If you have been arrested for shoplifting, you need to think about what this could do to your life. Although a shoplifting conviction may not seem like that big of deal, depending on the value of the items taken, a shopliter can be charged with a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony.  Items valued between one cent and $500.00 can result in a misdemeanor charge.  Items valued between $500 and $1000 can result in a gross misdemeanor charge.  Above $1,000 results in a felony charge.  Misdemeanor offenses  can result in up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of $1,000.  Gross Misdemeanor charges can result in one year in jail and a $3000.00 fine.  Felony charges typically require one year and a day in prison.  Fines can amount to $10,000.00.

A criminal shoplifting conviction can prevent you from finding a decent job, leasing an apartment and obtaining a loan; after all, employers, landlords, credit bureaus and professional associations are all able to access your criminal record and uncover your shoplifting offense. And, furthermore, they most likely will not be interested in the value of the item that was stolen, whether it was your first offense, or even if it was an accident.  A permanent criminal shoplifting conviction, no matter how minor, can and will ruin your chance of success in the future.

Expungement Law and Minnetonka Shoplifting Attorneys

A plea of guilty resulting in a permanent criminal conviction for shoplifting, no matter how minor the offense, cannot be fully expunged. Many people assume their best option is to accept a guilty plea, serve the time, pay the fine and then ask for expungement later on down the road. This is not as easy as you may think and this type of offense will never be completely sealed. Keeping a criminal shoplifting conviction off your criminal record from the outset is a priority! This is where an experienced Minnetonka shoplifting criminal defense lawyer comes in.

I’ve been Charged with Shoplifting – What’s Next?

Been arrested for shoplifting and wondering what to do next? First, you should immediately retain the services of a qualified Minnetonka criminal defense attorney with a proven track record. Martin S. Azarian Criminal Defense, P.A. has been defending shoplifting clients for over 22 years and the vase majority of his clients have their criminal theft charges dismissed or reduced.  Even if you are guilty, it is important to speak to a lawyer about your best defense strategy. There are ways to keep this offense off your criminal record. 

Going to court and trying to talk your way out of it will not help.  Anything you say in court will be used against you.  Trying to explain to the judge what you did is useless and can only end up costing you more. The judge cannot help you; he cannot dismiss your case and cannot give you advice.  The judge is only interested in two things: a guilty or not guilty plea. Trying to explain the situation yourself can actually end up harming your case and ensuring you end up with a guilty verdict and a permanent criminal record. This is something all Martin S. Azarian Criminal Defense, P.A. counsels all his shoplifting clients to avoid.

Facing a Shoplifting Conviction

Having any type of permanent theft conviction on your record will have a severe and lifelong negative impact on your future.  The reason is because almost all companies, landlords, credit bureaus, professional associations and colleges will perform a criminal background check before making any decision about their applicants. What this means is your criminal shoplifting conviction will follow you for the rest of your life, negatively impacting everything from your ability to find a good job to your ability to obtain a loan. It may seem like a good idea now to just plead and move on but this is a very bad decision- pleading guilty now can result in a lifetime of negative consequences.

The key is to keep the conviction off your criminal record from the start.

Shoplifting convictions do destroy lives. All it takes are two bad decisions- the first was to commit the crime in the first place; the second is to go to court alone or hire the wrong lawyer.  Call Martin Azarian and avoid making a bad situation even worse.

Minnetonka Theft Lawyers and Criminal Defense Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been arrested for shoplifting in Minnetonka, then you want to make sure you have an experienced lawyer in your corner. The Law Firm of Martin S. Azarian Criminal Defense, P.A. can provide you with the confidence that you have one of the finest Minnetonka criminal defense attorneys on your side.  You can be 100% confident in your Minnetonka criminal defense-shoplifting attorney. Give Martin S. Azarian Criminal Defense, P.A. a call today at 952-451-4987 for your free initial telephone consultation and see how his representation can make all the difference to your case.