Shoplifting

Atlanta Shoplifting Lawyer

Shoplifting is a serious offense in Georgia. Consequences of a shoplifting charge and/or conviction can be devasting depending upon the value of merchandise taken or upon previous conviction for shoplifting or other criminal history. Shoplifting in Georgia is simply taking merchandise from the store without paying, altering price tags, changing price tags, concealing merchandise while in store, or removing theft detection devices and more. Any intentional attempt at shoplifting, with an overt act towards taking goods from a store by not paying, or paying less than the store’s price, can be considered shoplifting. Here is the complete Georgia Shoplifting Statute.

I am attorney Thomas C. Nagel, and I have decades of experience helping clients resolve shoplifting charges throughout the State of Georgia. I am centrally located in Atlanta to help those charged with shoplifting in the following Georgia Municipal (city), and County Courts: Fulton (Atlanta Municipal Court), Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cherokee, Forsyth, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Brookhaven, Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Chamblee, Doraville, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Duluth, Lilburn, Norcross, and Snellville. It is imperative that you hire an experienced shoplifting attorney as soon as possible.

Why is Shoplifting a Serious Crime

Shoplifting is a theft crime. If you are convicted of a theft crime, you can serve prison or jail time, face significant fines and fees, lose your job or potential future employment, security clearance, probation, and more.

Shoplifting, like theft, is a crime of moral turpitude. A crime of moral turpitude increases the consequences of conviction. It is considered a significant offense because it involves fraud, deceit, or dishonesty. A crime of moral turpitude also includes vile or base crimes. These kinds of crimes can have long term consequences for everyone, even if the charge is a misdemeanor.

Other collateral consequences of Shoplifting conviction:

• Impacting immigration status, and may even lead to deportation
• Loss of employment and future potential employment
• Permanent criminal record
• Prevent professional licensing or cause the loss of a professional license

Shoplifting Crimes and Punishment

Shoplifting in Georgia has serious consequences. Shoplifting has various levels of severity based upon the value of the merchandise taken illegally. Shoplifting an item or items of value that are worth $300 or less is a misdemeanor. Shoplifting theft in Georgia of property over $300 dollars in value is a felony, punishable by up to one to ten years in prison (Yes you read that right). Shoplifting items of value of $100 dollars from three stores, in the same county, within a seven-day period is also a felony punishable from one to ten years in prison.

A second misdemeanor or felony shoplifting conviction results in an additional $250 fine. A third conviction of any kind, results in a mandatory 30 days in jail or 120 days on house arrest and include psychological evaluation and treatment, paid for by the defendant, and the sentence cannot be suspended or probated.

A fourth Shoplifting conviction requires a mandatory one-year prison sentence and may be sentenced from one-year to ten-years. For example, your daughter could shoplift four times and face a mandatory minimum one-year sentence under Georgia Law.

Civil and Criminal Liability of Shoplifting in Georgia

Shoplifting in Georgia carries both civil and criminal penalties. Not only can you face criminal charges outlined above, but Georgia Shoplifting Law also allows a property owner to bring civil claim against the alleged defendant. A property owner can file a lawsuit seeking compensatory damages for any loss incurred from the theft. This is the value of the property shoplifted. A shopkeeper may also seek punitive damages of $300 dollars or triple the amount of any loss from a shoplifter, whichever is greater. If these fees are not paid within 30 days, then the store owner can seek attorney fees and costs as well.

Types of Shoplifting in Georgia

Some typical shoplifting charges result from the following behavior:

• Leaving the store with merchandise without payment
• Removing tags in the store
• Changing tags in the store to a lower price
• Hiding or concealing merchandise (even without leaving the store’s premises)
• Removing theft detection devices

Juvenile Shoplifting

Juvenile shoplifting is a serious problem. A juvenile is defined as someone who is psychologically immature or underdeveloped. Anyone under the age of eighteen in Georgia can be charged as a juvenile and face juvenile delinquency charges. Juveniles and young people, high-school or college students, or even military members can face disciplinary actions at school or from the military as well. Juvenile shoplifters are also looking at possible life-long consequences. A juvenile offender can face college entrance problems and future employment problems with a permanent criminal record. We have proudly been able to help many young people and juveniles protect their futures by having charges dismissed or sealed during the criminal process. There is no other greater cause to hire a criminal lawyer than to protect a young person’s future, and we take that responsibility very seriously. The risk to a juvenile or your person having a crime of moral turpitude on their permanent record is too great. Make sure to talk to an experienced juvenile shoplifting attorney.

Atlanta Theft & Shoplifting Lawyer Blog

I regularly update my criminal law and procedure blog and include valuable information on shoplifting and theft charges. Please review our law blog for relevant up-to-date law regarding Georgia criminal defense.

Why Hire and Experienced Georgia Shoplifting Attorney?

Are you facing a shoplifting charge in Georgia or a Georgia City Court? If so, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your Rights and Freedom. I am a peer reviewed attorney with decades of experience successfully helping good people charged with shoplifting charges throughout the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Most shoplifting charges can be resolved through skilled representation. Please contact me for a free consultation if you or a loved one needs help in defending against a shoplifting charge. As a criminal lawyer with over twenty-five years’ experience, I feel very good about my ability to guide you through this process. Protect your Rights and freedom by contacting us today. Please look at my client reviews and testimonials here. Call me personally for a private and confidential consultation at 404-255-1600.