Shoplifting and Larceny over $250

When it comes to the offense of shoplifting, many individuals find themselves in the unenviable position of being brought into a store security office and told that the police are coming to arrest them. Many of these individuals have no prior criminal record and many are students under the age of 21. When this happens, it becomes painfully clear that a momentary lapse in judgment is going to have serious and potentially lifelong consequences.

misdemeanor vs felony charge

Many times what the individual believes to be a misdemeanor shopping offense may actually be a felony larceny over $250 case. This is due to the fact that it easy to accumulate a bill over $250 in high end stores, such as the ones that are located at the Natick Collection or Shoppers World in Framingham. As a result, when someone appears for their court date the charges are much more serious and much more dire than the person originally realized. This confusion is particularly compounded in younger individuals, for example high school or college students, who may have chosen not to seek the guidance of their parents out of a sense of fear or shame.

The reality is that there are ways to reduce the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor, and therefore potentially eliminate the criminal sanction altogether. None of this can be accomplished without the assistance of a seasoned and thoughtful criminal defense attorney. The options available between negotiation with the prosecutor, motions for the court, and alternative pre-arraignment dispositions are very useful if they can be employed correctly. Too often, these options are never explored due to the lack of proper advice and guidance.

If you or someone you know is facing a charge related to the taking of property from a retail store, you should immediately call Rakhlin Law to discuss the particular situation. Even if the person has already been charged, there are still options available to them. However, if your attorney can intervene prior to an arraignment the potential outcomes are that much better for the defendant. No person should be forever judged by a momentary mistake,