Here are your options:
- Go to court on your own without an attorney and plead guilty, and the judge will sentence you
- Go to court and plead not guilty, and the judge will set your case for trial
- Go to court and ask the judge for a continuance of the court date to give you time to hire an attorney
Can I get a shoplifting charge removed from my criminal record?
The cost to keep a Shoplifting charge off your criminal record is more expensive than paying the fine and pleading guilty. With an attorney representing you, there is a very good chance that your Shoplifting ticket will be dismissed completely or reduced to a less serious offense, such as “Littering.”
What happens if you get caught shoplifting under $500?
If you get caught shoplifting items worth less than $500, that’s considered misdemeanor stealing. The police officer might arrest you, or they might just issue a ticket for Shoplifting and let you go. You can go to court and represent yourself (not recommended) or you can hire an attorney to represent you.
Can I represent myself in court for a shoplifting ticket?
You can go to court and represent yourself (not recommended) or you can hire an attorney to represent you. In many cases, your attorney can get your Shoplifting ticket dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense with no jail time or court appearance required. The outcome of your case depends on many factors, such as:
What to do if charged with shoplifting or stealing in Missouri?
If you have been charged with Shoplifting or Stealing in Missouri, contact St. Louis Shoplifting lawyer Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 or [email protected] for a free consultation.
What happens if you get caught shoplifting?
If you get caught shoplifting items worth less than $500, that’s considered misdemeanor stealing. The police officer might arrest you, or they might just issue a ticket for Shoplifting and let you go. You can go to court and represent yourself (not recommended) or you can hire an attorney to represent you. In many cases, your attorney can get your ...
Why do people plead guilty to shoplifting?
Many people charged with Shoplifting plead guilty because it’s cheaper than hiring an attorney. However, the long-term consequences of a guilty plea can cost you a lot more than what the attorney charges to represent you. Having a conviction for Shoplifting on your criminal record can prevent you from being hired for a job, renting an apartment, ...
How much jail time is there for theft under $150?
Stealing Under $150 is a class D misdemeanor if you are a first-time offender. There is no jail time for Stealing Under $150, but the judge can sentence you to pay a maximum fine of $500, and you will end up with a shoplifting conviction on ...
Do you have to pay for shoplifting?
In addition to the cost of hiring an attorney for your Shoplifting charge, you may have to pay a fine and court costs, do community service, complete the “Theft Offender” class, and/or pay a supervision fee if you have to serve time on probation.
Can you go to court for shoplifting?
You can go to court and represent yourself (not recommended) or you can hire an attorney to represent you. In many cases, your attorney can get your Shoplifting ticket dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense with no jail time or court appearance required. The outcome of your case depends on many factors, such as:
Who is the lawyer for shoplifting in Missouri?
If you have been charged with Shoplifting or Stealing in Missouri, contact St. Louis Shoplifting lawyer Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 or [email protected] for a free consultation.
Can a store sue a shoplifter in Missouri?
Missouri law allows stores to sue shoplifters in civil court for up to $250 to reimburse the store for their expenses. However, most stores don’t sue shoplifters because the cost of suing is much higher than the amount the store could win in court. PLEASE NOTE: You don’t owe the store anything unless they successfully sue you in civil court ...
Can you get your deferred prosecution records sealed?
Hopefully the case will be dropped after you complete a deferred prosecution agreement's requirements. Then you can probably get the records sealed and later expunged. Hire counsel in your area.
Should I get a dismissal for a first offense petty larceny?
If you had a first offense Petty Larceny you should have gotten an ADC dismissal and not had a criminal record. Ask your public defender what you were convicted of and if you got a criminal record. If you did get a criminal record for a first offense it must have been a small town or you were arrested before and that is why the prosecutor would not offer a dismissal or a violation.
Can you get a shoplifting conviction expunged?
If you were convicted of shoplifting, there is no way to get that expunged from your record. If you were just charged and you haven't been to court yet, then you definitely need to hire an attorney to represent you and keep this off your permanent criminal record.
What to ask when convicted of petty theft?
The first question that most people ask when they are convicted of petty theft (or any crime) is "how do I live with the label of being a criminal?". If you have been convicted of petty theft, the chances are that you have asked how the same question about living with a petty theft charge.
What does it mean when a petty theft record is expunged?
Having your petty theft record expunged can mean that the employer will not be able to see the arrest or court case. It also can also allow you to honestly answer “no” to any question about having had a criminal record.
How successful is expunging a petty theft case?
Attorney Mathew Higbee says that his nationwide success rate is about 97% on petty theft expungement cases and 91% on expunging any theft case.
What are the benefits of expunging a record?
Or in other words, once your record is expunged it will be easier to find jobs, housing and educational opportunities.
What is petty theft?
Petty theft is a legal term for small theft. The term dates back to common law. The use of petty is derived from the French word petit, meaning small. Petty theft is used in contrast to grand theft, which is a large theft. State law determines what constitutes petty theft.
Can a prosecution object to a petty theft?
The court will review the petition and determine if you are eligible and deserving. The prosecution may object if they do not believe that you are eligible or deserving to have your petty theft expunged.
Can you get an expungement hearing?
The court may have a hearing, where you will be required to provide oral arguments in support of your request for expungement. Hiring an attorney can greatly improve your chances of successfully expunging a petty theft or shoplifting charge.
