Do I need a lawyer for a shoplifing charge?
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Do I need a lawyer for a shoplifing charge?
My 21 year old son was caught shoplifting a $20 item. What can we expect?
Asked on April 20, 2012 under Criminal Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Under Titlte XLVI of Florida's statutes, Chapter 812, section, stealing $20 of merchandise would be "petit theft" in the second degree and misdeamonor in the second degree. It is potentially punishable by up to 60 days in prison.
I believe that *any time* you are charged with a crime, you should retain a criminal defense attorney. The attorney will maximize your son's chance of either having the charges dropped or having them pled down to a lower-still offense--i.e. the lawyer will help your son minimize his punishment, possibly avoid punishment entirely, and possibly avoid a criminal record.
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