Minneapolis Shoplifting Attorney

Charged with Shoplifting?

Shoplifting is a crime that occurs when a person attempts to steal merchandise from a retail establishment by concealment, modifying, replacing or removing price tags, or hiding the goods in another container so as to mislead staff into believing nothing is being stolen. Shoplifting is committed by a wide range of different people for different reasons such as kids looking for a thrill, people who steal because they have always been able to get away with it, people who steal as a necessity such as in the case of feeding a family, or even those who simply walked out of a store with an item they forgot to pay for. If you or someone you know has been charged with shoplifting, consider speaking with a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney who can assist.

Shoplifting Defense Lawyer in Minneapolis

Shoplifting is generally known to be a smaller theft offense, but there are varying levels which may carry a different penalty. The least severe offense is for crimes involving items of less than $500 in value. It is a misdemeanor, and offenders may face up to 90 years in jail and fines not exceeding $1,000. For theft of goods between $500 and $1,000, the jail term may be extended as much as one year and fines can increase to $3,000. For goods valued between $1,000 and $5,000, the jail sentence can reach up to 5 years and fines of up to $10,000. Crimes committed with goods valued at $5,000 to $35,000 become a felony in Minnesota, and offenders can face up to 10 years in prison with fines reaching upwards of $20,000. The most severe form of shoplifting theft exceeds $35,000 in stolen goods unless the item of value is a firearm. Both incur prison terms ranging up to 20 years and fines not exceeding $100,000.

While many shoplifting offenses include theft of smaller-ticket items, there have been plenty of cases where the value of stolen goods has ranged into the thousands, and higher still. Attorney Martin understands that not all shoplifting charges are winnable due to factors beyond the prosecutions control. It can be difficult to prove intent in shoplifting cases, and Attorney Martin is adept at providing a solid defense against shoplifting accusations.

Contact a Minneapolis shoplifting defense attorney from our firm at once if you are accused of shoplifting.