If you face charges for shoplifting in Georgia, it is crucial to fight them. Just because you have been accused of shoplifting does not mean that you have to be convicted of shoplifting. The difference between a charge and a conviction in many cases is a good lawyer. An experienced Georgia criminal defense attorney will fight to get the charges against you kicked out of court. You can schedule a consultation with an experienced Georgia criminal defense attorney to get personalized feedback on your case.
What are the Penalties for Shoplifting?
Most people who are facing charges for shoplifting are generally dealing with a misdemeanor. If the property stolen was valued at $500 or less, the crime will be charged as a misdemeanor. Many people wrongfully assume that misdemeanor charges are not serious and choose not to seek their own legal representation to fight them in court. While misdemeanor charges are less serious than felony charges, misdemeanor shoplifting charges in Georgia can still result in up to a year in prison. These are significant penalties that can have real impacts on your life. Additionally, misdemeanor crimes still show up on your record and will appear in a background check conducted by employers and landlords.
Each misdemeanor conviction also increases the severity and punishment for subsequent conditions, as well. For instance, if you are convicted of shoplifting the first time, you may be sentenced to up to one year in prison, but if you are convicted of shoplifting four times, you may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. These facts are all critical to consider when determining how to proceed in dealing with the charges against you. It is important to be proactive and fight the shoplifting charges against you, even if they are misdemeanor charges, because, as you can see, even misdemeanor charges result in serious and even life-altering consequences that you may be able to avoid with experienced representation.
How a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
An experienced Georgia criminal defense attorney will do everything they can to secure the best possible outcome in your case. Depending on the circumstances of your case, your attorney may be able to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution on your behalf. This would allow you to plead guilty or no contest to a lesser offense or in exchange for lesser penalties. Many people accept plea deals because it allows them to avoid the uncertainty of a trial. In many cases, it also allows people to plead to a misdemeanor offense to avoid a felony charge. Of course, a plea deal will not be necessary if your attorney can get your charges dropped.
Contact Ghanayem & Rayasam, LLC, in Atlanta, Georgia if You Are Facing Shoplifting Charges
If you are facing charges for shoplifting in Georgia, the best way to avoid a conviction is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. Contact the criminal defense attorneys at Ghanayem & Rayasam, LLC, in Atlanta, Georgia, today to schedule a consultation.