Thousands of people are convicted for retail theft in Arizona each year, and those numbers are on the rise. If you or a loved one has been charged with shoplifting, you’re not alone. Contacting a lawyer to fight your theft charge will not only gain you a legal advocate, but also a guide through the post-trial difficulties associated with criminal convictions.
At Charity Clark Law, we provide each of our clients with a unique defense strategy backed up by over a decade of experience and countless hours in courtroom negotiations for cases just like yours. Fighting a shoplifting charge, especially at the felony level, requires not only a knowledge of the law but also of legal precedent, defense tactics, and even of the court officials themselves. Attorney Charity Clark is proud to have established a reputation throughout Arizona’s many courts as a trusted authority on case law and on burgeoning developments in criminal litigation. For a chance to meet with Charity Clark herself, contact our offices for a free 30 minute consultation.
Though we often think of shoplifting as merely taking an item from an establishment without paying for it, shoplifting is legally defined in a number of different ways. Other definitions include:
Though you may not have taken merchandise home with you, shoplifting, in general, is a crime of taking even partial revenue from a business. Very often, it is patrons or customers of a business who are charged with shoplifting, but employees are also able to be convicted on similar grounds.
Further, shoplifting can quickly become a felony even for small value items and first time offenders. All that is needed is for you to put the item in a bag or remove a tag or alarm device. At that point, it is now a class 4 felony.
Shoplifting charges are often tried as either high level misdemeanors or lower level felonies. Many factors will be taken into account when evaluating the appropriate conviction. Your penalties will be more severe if you:
If none of the above apply, the primary factor will be the value of the shoplifted goods. The typical crime classifications in order from least serious to most are:
Penalties for Shoplifting
Each crime classification has minimum and maximum imprisonment terms and a limit on the amount of fines that can be imposed on the convicted. The baseline penalties are:
For all felony convictions in Arizona, the judge is permitted to order up to $150,000 in fines in addition to any surcharges which may be imposed.
It’s important to remember that the figures above are the maximum imprisonment terms and fines that the law permits, but they do not necessarily represent the most common or “average” sentences.
Charity Clark is one of the smartest attorneys I’ve ever met. She is aggressive, intelligent, and not afraid to fight for you. Her trial skills are unmatched. She knows how to handle a jury and argues the law like a champ. She will champion her client until the end and achieves real results.
Charity was amazing and took care of everything. She answered all my questions quickly and was so polite. They took care of my case with ease and definitely took a load off my shoulders. Not only did they both do great work they got the response from the court we were hoping for. Charity is "THE BEST".
Facing a shoplifting charge and the possible consequences of your sentence is a tough burden to bear on your own. Attorney Charity Clark and her team at Charity Clark Law are committed to each and every client, providing them with more than just a cookie cutter defense strategy. We take into account all aspects of your case to offer a creative and effective angle when fighting your shoplifting charges and getting your life back on track.
Attorney Charity Clark is based in Tempe but has worked all over the Phoenix metropolitan area and in many of Arizona’s counties. For a free 30 minute consultation, contact our offices online or by phone today.
