Salt Lake City Utah Retail Theft Attorney
Criminal Charges for Shoplifting
In Utah, shoplifting is legally known as “retail theft” and carries stiff penalties. The first thing you should do after being charged with shoplifting is to call a Salt Lake City Utah retail theft attorney at our firm. In fact, for stealing property worth less than $300 you can be convicted of a class B misdemeanor. If you steal more expensive items, such as a diamond ring, gold coins, collectibles, or art, you are looking at a second degree felony.
Most people in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Provo and throughout Utah who are charged with retail theft stole less than $300 worth of property and are looking at a class B misdemeanor, but make no mistake, even for a class B misdemeanor you will want the protection of a Salt Lake City, Utah retail theft attorney at Salcido Law Firm PLLC. To put things in perspective, a shoplifting charge brings with it similar penalties as charges for possession of marijuana or a first time DUI. Shoplifting charges are very serious.
Some people suffer from a cognitive disability that results in kleptomania, but the law does not make an exception for this disorder. If you steal, the law applies.
If you have been charged with retail theft, whether a misdemeanor or felony, call a Salt Lake City Utah retail theft attorney at 801.413.1753 or toll free at 888.337.3235 or email us so that we can get working on your defense right away.
We are experienced criminal defense lawyers and will do everything in our power to protect your rights and make sure you are defended against the state.
Civil Claims for Shoplifting
In addition to facing serious criminal charges for shoplifting, business proprietors are now more frequently seeking civil damages against anyone who has been charged with stealing from them. Thus, in nearly every shoplifting case the alleged shoplifter has to deal with his criminal case and a lawsuit brought by business proprietor.
When a business proprietor sues an alleged shoplifter they generally demand that the alleged shoplifter pay them many times more in damages than the property which was stolen. For example, if you steal $85 worth of clothes the business proprietor’s lawyer will demand that you pay $600 to $1000 in damages.
The lawyers at Salcido Law Firm PLLC have had great success in defending individuals against civil suits for shoplifting and generally we are able to dispose of a case for about $100 saving the defendant $500 to $900.
If you have been sued for shoplifting, call a Salt Lake City Utah retail theft attorney at our firm and we’ll tell you how we can protect you from having to pay the exorbitant sums demanded by businesses.
