One of the worst mistakes that people make when charged with shoplifting or Petit Theft is to try to defend themselves. The reason many people attempt to defend themselves in court is that they do not take accusations of shoplifting or Petit Theft seriously, believing it not to be a serious offense. This can have disastrous consequences, as people who are inexperienced in Florida law end up with a permanent criminal record for something minor.
The best thing to do when accused of Petit Theft is to remain calm, not admit to any guilt, and enlist an expert in Florida criminal law. Miami Criminal Attorney Evan Hoffman can advise people facing charges of Petit Theft, helping them to find the best way to fight these charges. When you contact us, you may be on your way to lessening your penalties or even avoiding them entirely.
Petit Theft often referred to as “shoplifting” or “petty theft,” is one of the most common crimes committed in the nation. This crime involves willfully and unlawfully taking property valued at up to $300. An innocent person could easily be charged with Petit Theft for inadvertently leaving a store with an item that has not been paid for.
The consequences for Petit Theft in South Florida are such that a person convicted could face up to a year in prison, up to a year of probation, a fine of up to $1,000, and even suspension of their driver’s license. This is the case even for juvenile offenders.
Even if you are underage, you could be convicted, and that means that the crime may show up permanently on your record. This means that this crime – one that you first thought was too minor to matter – could jeopardize future professional endeavors, from acceptance into a college, to potential job opportunities. Young people with such convictions on their records may even be denied financial aid.
You may be able to avoid marring your record with a conviction of Petit Theft. South Florida Criminal Defense Attorney Evan Hoffman has intensive knowledge of Florida criminal law, due to his experience both as a defense attorney and as a former prosecutor. Don’t make the mistake of trying to defend yourself. Contact us today for a FREE consultation.
Did You Know?
The vast majority of crimes in Florida are committed by adult men, with the exception of Petit Theft. Women are far more likely to be charged with retail theft or shoplifting.