Q: was recently accused of shoplifting.. I’ve never done anything like this and I was not intentional. Do I need a lawyer
No theft or crinimal charges ever! I was at the hospital the night before with my daughter and was on the phone with the clinic and was distracted.. I complied well with target and the cop and was never rude. I offered to pay trying to explain it was a misunderstanding but I also understood that what it appeared to them was not a mistake. I had a whole cart full of my other bought merchandise.. the total cost in question was 60.97.. it was a couple face products and and cooking spray
A:
It also depends on what they are claiming you took and the dollar value. But ultimately, the government has to show that you intentionally left the store without paying for the item vs. simply forgetting that you had it an accidentally leaving with it.
They generally do not give you the option of paying after you have passed the last point of sale.
A: Every crime requires an intentional act. The prosecution in a shoplifting theft case could be expected to rely upon circumstantial evidence and encourage the jury to infer criminal intent from the circumstances. In order to avoid the risk of a criminal conviction on one's public court record, it may make sense to try to persuade the prosecutor to agree to an outcome that will ultimately not result in a public record of conviction, after a conditional period is met. Of course, you may do better with a lawyer. If it's important to you, then it's important to be represented by a lawyer. You are welcome to call with any questions.
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