Shoplifting Attorney In Nassau County
A conviction for shoplifting can have a drastic impact on your future. It can keep you from getting a job in addition to facing up to a year in jail. If you are a student, it can affect your scholarships, loans and grants.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for petit larceny or shoplifting, we can help you. At Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron, in Sayville, New York, our Nassau County shoplifting attorneys defend clients from all types of theft charges, including shoplifting. Prior to starting our Suffolk County and Nassau County firm, shoplifting defense lawyer Bryan Cameron spent four years as a prosecutor, where he personally handled felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. For a free initial consultation, contact our Long Island office online or call us at 631-319-3487 (toll-free at 888-816-9087).
Handling All Aspects Of Your Defense
With more than 25 years of experience defending clients from theft charges, attorney Bryan Cameron can help you with every aspect of your case. Often, with shoplifting charges there is also a civil action brought against the defendant. The store or business can ask for a certain amount of damages as a penalty for the theft. Our office will take all necessary acts to protect you, not only from the criminal charges but also from civil damages.
Stoplift Program In Nassau And Suffolk Counties
In Nassau County and Suffolk County, it may be possible for first- and second-time shoplifting to participate in the Stoplift program. This one-day course teaches shoplifters about the costs of shoplifting. Upon successful completion of the course, you may be able to have your charges dismissed or your record sealed. We can help you understand the program and pursue reduced penalties in your case.
What is the definition of shoplifting in New York?
In general, shoplifting is the offense of stealing merchandise from a store. This can be done in many different ways. People may simply try to grab items and leave the store without paying. In other cases, they try to conceal items, such as purchasing some items and hiding others in the cart. In still other cases, people are arrested for switching labels to one with a lower price tag or removing the price tags entirely.
How is shoplifting different from other thefts?
Shoplifting is a theft offense, but it is somewhat different from other types of theft under New York law. It’s important to know how this works.
The value of the goods that were stolen plays a large role. For instance, if someone is convicted of shoplifting items worth less than $1,000 in total, the offense is likely a petit larceny charge. This is a misdemeanor, though it could result in a jail term of up to 12 months. It typically results in community service and financial fines.
However, if someone is convicted of taking items worth more than $1,000, then they could be charged with grand larceny. This escalates the offense to a felony charge, which can increase the fines, and the jail term could be longer than a year. For instance, it is a Class B felony to commit first-degree grand larceny in New York, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years.
What are the consequences of a shoplifting conviction?
As noted above, shoplifting convictions can lead to jail terms, financial fines, probation and a permanent record. They can also have an impact on someone’s life beyond these ramifications. Someone with a felony on their record may find it harder to find employment or educational opportunities, for example. Even a short term in jail could be enough to cost someone their job, which can be difficult to recover from moving forward. This is part of the reason why it’s so important to understand all potential legal defense options.
Contact A Suffolk County Employee Theft Lawyer
Whether you are accused of stealing from a store or of petty theft from your employer, we can help you. To schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation, contact us or call us at 631-319-3487 (toll-free at 888-816-9087) to speak with a criminal defense attorney about petit theft defense. Our office is open Monday through Friday during traditional business hours, and evenings and weekends by request. We are available to take your phone call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We accept Visa, MasterCard and other major credit cards.
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