Kansas City Shoplifting Attorney
If you are facing a criminal theft charge, you should do everything you can to defend against it. Depending on the severity of the crime, you could be facing serious penalties and some courts are stricter than others at penalizing theft crimes. It is important to work with a Kansas City theft defense attorney with experience and skill at defending against these charges.
Contact me, David M. Lurie, right away if you have been charged with a theft crime. I have more than 45-plus years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer, and I have built a solid reputation in the Kansas City Metropolitan legal community (both Missouri and Kansas). I am familiar with our local courts, the judges and prosecuting attorneys involved in our criminal justice system. I will help you build a solid strategy for a strong defense.
Retail Theft: Telling Your Story And Building A Powerful Defense
One of the most important aspects of building your defense involves painting the picture and telling your story. Depending on your circumstances, a solid understanding of the underlying issues that caused the theft crime may persuade prosecutors and judges to be more lenient in your case.
Generally, I find that two main underlying causes lead to theft crimes:
- Thrill seekers: Usually, these are people who were simply thrill-seeking by trying to get away with a theft crime. Many of these cases are first offenses, and we can emphasize that fact and seek diversionary programs and other alternative sentencing options.
- Those with underlying psychological issues or real-world problems: If we can establish that you have underlying psychological issues or financial problems that led up to the crime, it can go a long way to minimizing the damage that these charges could have on your life, especially if we get you into the right programs to help with the underlying issues.
I have a strong record of successfully defending clients against charges that include shoplifting, petty theft, stealing, embezzlement and other theft crimes.
FAQ About Theft Crimes
When you’re facing any criminal charge, you need to have all the facts. It’s my job to get them for you, and this often means answering your most vital questions. Below are a few of the questions I get the most.
How often do first-time shoplifters go to jail?
It’s rare that a first time shoplifter goes to jail, just based on shoplifting alone. In fact, if the shoplifting is less than $150, it is a class D misdemeanor and imprisonment isn’t even a penalty. However, if the amount stolen is significant enough, there is a potential for facing considerable time in jail. That said, in sentencing, your criminal record is a factor and the judge may show leniency.
Every case is different, and every factor matters.
What is the punishment for shoplifting in Kansas City?
Shoplifting carries a range of potential punishments based on an array of conditions and the charges, starting at a class D misdemeanor and going all the way to a potential class C Felony. You can see fines from as little as $500 to $10,000, and no jail time and up to 10 years.
However, this is a huge range of potential penalties, and your case may not be the best or worst case scenario. This is why we need to talk about your charges.
What happens if I accidentally shoplifted?
A key aspect of a stealing charge of any type in Missouri is in the first line of the statute, which states a person commits theft if they take “property or services of another with the purpose to deprive”. The keyword here is “purpose” meaning intent matters. If you accidentally “stole” something during self-checkout, you can face charges. But these charges are difficult to prove, and your intent will
Reach Out To Us Today
I offer free initial consultations for prospective clients in Missouri. This gives you the chance to learn more about your options, and it can help ease your fears and see clearly the road ahead. Call me at 816-221-5900or contact me online to schedule your free initial consultation.