What should I do if I got cought shoplifting for my first time?

If you are caught shoplifting in most states, such as the state of Georgia, and it is your first offense, there are several things you should know.  First, you are probably not facing jail time or even, in most circumstances, any lengthy probation.  Most prosecutors will recommend a fine, perhaps community service and in some cases a class you have to attend dealing with theft. 

The bigger issue is whether you can get your case resolved so that it does not appear on your criminal background checks.  If you try to resolve your case alone, there is no guarantee that you won't have to plead guilty to the crime.  If you plead guilty or nolo it will be on your record for good.  Sometimes, if you do the things the prosecutor wants, they will dismiss your case - but this does not automatically cause your arrest to get expunged from your record.  In many cases, the only way to guarantee that you will be able to get this charge erased from your record is with the help of a lawyer.

It also goes without saying that if you are not guilty of shoplifting, you need the services of a good criminal defense attorney even more.  Take advantage of lawyers, such as ourselves, who offer free consultations to go and see a lawyer, discuss your case, and find out what the lawyer thinks you should do.  An honest lawyer will tell you whether you really need their services.

Best Regards,

David S. West

Attorney at Law