Retail Theft and Shoplifting Defense
A shoplifting conviction can seriously effect your reputation and ability to maintain employment. Just the arrest can have devastating consequences. It is essential to have an experienced retail theft & shoplifting lawyer on your side. I examine each shoplifting case to determine if it can be dismissed and removed from your record. If this is a first offense, the courts in Orange County, Seminole County and Osceola County all have pretrial diversion programs for first time offenders which will ultimately result in dismissal of your shoplifting charges. You may also be eligible to seal or expunge your shoplifting case. Once hired, I will:
- Collect and review all written, audio and video evidence;
- Identify all possible defenses;
- Negotiate with your prosecutor for a dismissal or reduced charges;
- Qualify you for a pretrial diversion program, and
- Do whatever is necessary to avoid a criminal conviction.
Personal Attention to Your Shoplifting Case
When you call my Orlando criminal defense law firm, you will speak with directly with me. Additionally, once retained, you have direct access to me as every client has my personal cell phone number. I will personally handle all aspects of your shoplifting case. You will be able to call, text or email me directly. Your case will not be assigned to a less-experienced attorney. Your shoplifting case will get my full attention.
First-Time Arrest and Pretrial Diversion for Shoplifting
The vast majority of our clients charged with shoplifting (also referred to as petit theft, petty theft or retail theft) are women who have never been arrested before. In many of these cases, our client is terrified about how the arrest and prosecution will affect future employment opportunities. We are experienced in working with women to defend them against an accusation of any Orange County or Seminole County shoplifting allegation. Both counties have varying shoplifting pretrial diversion programs for first-time offenders. After diversion approval and contract signing, each county will require you to attend and complete a one day anti-theft class, perform community service and submit written monthly reports to a pretrial diversion officer. Contact our law firm to discuss your pretrial diversion eligibility and the approval process.
The Civil Demand Letter Pursuant to Florida Statute 772.11
The retail store may mail you a civil demand letter demanding payment for their loss. The store will mail you this civil demand letter even when they recover all merchandise. Paying the money demanded will have no affect on your criminal case and may cause your name to be placed into a nationwide theft database. If you are sent a demand letter stating that you are liable for shoplifting damages, you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer who handles such cases. Most of the time, you can safely ignore such letters, but it’s always a good idea to talk to an attorney about the specifics of your case before you decide what action to take. If you or someone you know has questions about Florida civil demand letters in petit theft cases, contact Orlando criminal attorney Bryce Fetter. We offer free case consultations and routinely handle these matters throughout the Orlando area.
Florida Shoplifting & Retail Theft Penalties in Orlando
The penalty for a Florida shoplifting charge depends on the value of the merchandise at issue. If the value of the merchandise is less than $100, the offense is a second-degree petit theft. If the value of the item is more than $100, but nor more than $750, the offense is a first-degree petit theft. If the merchandise is more than $750, the offense is will be charged as grand theft.
The most severe penalty associated with any theft charge is an adjudication of guilt/conviction. By Florida law a criminal conviction can’t be removed from your record. That’s why our top priority is resolving your case without a formal conviction.
Aggregating Shoplifting & Retail Theft Charges
If a person commits multiple acts of retail theft, the value of each individual retail theft committed within a 30-day period can be aggregated together. This may cause a misdeanor offense to be upgraded to a felony offense if the total theft amount of the merchandise is between $750 to $3,000. Aggregated amounts over $3,000 are second-degree felonies.
Retail Theft and Shoplifting Lawyer
My goal is to help you avoid a theft conviction on your permanent criminal record. Contact me for a free consultation. In addition to keeping normal business hours, my office is open every Saturday. Call 407-740-7275 to speak directly with me for any Orange County or Seminole County shoplifting case.
Retail Theft and Shoplifting Defense
A shoplifting conviction can seriously effect your reputation and ability to maintain employment. Just the arrest can have devastating consequences. It is essential to have an experienced retail theft & shoplifting lawyer on your side. I examine each shoplifting case to determine if it can be dismissed and removed from your record. If this is a first offense, the courts in Orange County, Seminole County and Osceola County all have pretrial diversion programs for first time offenders which will ultimately result in dismissal of your shoplifting charges. You may also be eligible to seal or expunge your shoplifting case. Once hired, I will:
- Collect and review all written, audio and video evidence;
- Identify all possible defenses;
- Negotiate with your prosecutor for a dismissal or reduced charges;
- Qualify you for a pretrial diversion program, and
- Do whatever is necessary to avoid a criminal conviction.
Personal Attention to Your Shoplifting Case
When you call my Orlando criminal defense law firm, you will speak with directly with me. Additionally, once retained, you have direct access to me as every client has my personal cell phone number. I will personally handle all aspects of your shoplifting case. You will be able to call, text or email me directly. Your case will not be assigned to a less-experienced attorney. Your shoplifting case will get my full attention.
First-Time Arrest and Pretrial Diversion for Shoplifting
The vast majority of our clients charged with shoplifting (also referred to as petit theft, petty theft or retail theft) are women who have never been arrested before. In many of these cases, our client is terrified about how the arrest and prosecution will affect future employment opportunities. We are experienced in working with women to defend them against an accusation of any Orange County or Seminole County shoplifting allegation. Both counties have varying shoplifting pretrial diversion programs for first-time offenders. After diversion approval and contract signing, each county will require you to attend and complete a one day anti-theft class, perform community service and submit written monthly reports to a pretrial diversion officer. Contact our law firm to discuss your pretrial diversion eligibility and the approval process.
The Civil Demand Letter Pursuant to Florida Statute 772.11
The retail store may mail you a civil demand letter demanding payment for their loss. The store will mail you this civil demand letter even when they recover all merchandise. Paying the money demanded will have no affect on your criminal case and may cause your name to be placed into a nationwide theft database. If you are sent a demand letter stating that you are liable for shoplifting damages, you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer who handles such cases. Most of the time, you can safely ignore such letters, but it’s always a good idea to talk to an attorney about the specifics of your case before you decide what action to take. If you or someone you know has questions about Florida civil demand letters in petit theft cases, contact Orlando criminal attorney Bryce Fetter. We offer free case consultations and routinely handle these matters throughout the Orlando area.
Florida Shoplifting & Retail Theft Penalties in Orlando
The penalty for a Florida shoplifting charge depends on the value of the merchandise at issue. If the value of the merchandise is less than $100, the offense is a second-degree petit theft. If the value of the item is more than $100, but nor more than $750, the offense is a first-degree petit theft. If the merchandise is more than $750, the offense is will be charged as grand theft.
The most severe penalty associated with any theft charge is an adjudication of guilt/conviction. By Florida law a criminal conviction can’t be removed from your record. That’s why our top priority is resolving your case without a formal conviction.
Aggregating Shoplifting & Retail Theft Charges
If a person commits multiple acts of retail theft, the value of each individual retail theft committed within a 30-day period can be aggregated together. This may cause a misdeanor offense to be upgraded to a felony offense if the total theft amount of the merchandise is between $750 to $3,000. Aggregated amounts over $3,000 are second-degree felonies.
Retail Theft and Shoplifting Lawyer
My goal is to help you avoid a theft conviction on your permanent criminal record. Contact me for a free consultation. In addition to keeping normal business hours, my office is open every Saturday. Call 407-740-7275 to speak directly with me for any Orange County or Seminole County shoplifting case.
