Skilled Defense from an Experienced Shoplifting Attorney
Because of this, the state takes these kinds of charges very seriously and will strive to make sure that you receive the harshest punishments possible. These include but are not limited to fines, restitution to the store owner, and even jail time. Those convicted of the most serious shoplifting charges can end up in prison for 12 years! And, of course, there is the fact that a conviction means you will have a permanent criminal record to deal with for the rest of your life. This highlight the importance of knowing steps to protect yourself while applying for jobs with a criminal record, ensuring you’re prepared for the challenges ahead. This is something that can make previously easy things become suddenly difficult, such as finding a place to live, getting a job to support yourself, or qualifying for a loan. The cards will start to stack against you, and you will need to hire a shoplifting attorney.
That’s why it’s vital that you contact an experienced shoplifting attorney like Kevin Cahill as soon as possible. With a knowledgeable attorney on your side, you can greatly increase your chances of getting a positive outcome. Mr. Cahill has handled all kinds of shoplifting cases, understanding that there are often complexities beyond just the accusation, like the common reasons people shoplift, and that extenuating circumstances can come into play.
Kevin Cahill Can Help You Understand Your Shoplifting Charges
In order to fight back against your retail theft charges and protect your rights, it’s important that you understand exactly what the charges mean.
There are several different levels of charges that are set down in Colorado law:
- Class 2 Misdemeanor. This is the charge that is given when the value of the items stolen is less than $500. People facing this charge may have to pay up to $1,000 in fines and spend anywhere from 3 months to an entire year in jail.
- Class 1 Misdemeanor. This is the charge that is given when the value of the items stolen is between $500 and $1,000. These individuals could spend between 6 and 18 months in jail and face fines that start at $500 and go up to $5,000.
- Class 1 Misdemeanor (2). This charge is given to anyone believed to have tampered with devices that detect theft or who even merely possesses tools that can be used to tamper with these kinds of devices. Facing such allegations, consulting with a misdemeanor defense attorney is crucial, as the punishments for both Class 1 Misdemeanor charges are the same – between 6 and 18 months in jail and fines from $500 to $5,000.
- Class 4 Felony. This is the charge that is given when the value of the items stolen is between $1,000 and $20,000. People facing this charge may have to pay between $2,000 to $500,000 in fines and could go to jail for anywhere between 2 and 6 years.
- Class 3 Felony. This is the charge that is given when the value of the items stolen is over $20,000. People facing this charge may have to pay between $3,000 and $750,000 in fines and could go to jail for anywhere between 4 and 12 years.
In addition to these criminal penalties, Colorado also demands that adults and emancipated minors pay restitution to the shop owners in the form of actual damages as well as a penalty that can be anywhere from $100 to $250 more.
There are also other circumstances that can change your charges as well. For example, if you are alleged to have used force or the threat of force to steal property, this automatically makes the charge a Class 5 felony – even if you just took a stick of gum. Penalties for this crime include fines of up to $100,000 and 1 to 3 years in jail. And if this isn’t your first theft conviction, that’s something else that will bump up your charges.
Get A Shoplifting Attorney Who Knows How to Fight Retail Theft Charges
In order to be convicted of shoplifting in Colorado, the prosecution has to prove a number of things. Some of these are obvious, but others are less so.
One way that our shoplifting attorney delves into these kinds of cases is to ask his clients a series of questions:
- Did you know that the property in question was in your possession when you tried to leave the store?
- Did you come into the store with the intent to steal the property?
- Was the fact that you neglected to pay for the property an accident or mistake?
- What evidence is there to support the argument that it wasn’t an accident or mistake?
- Is this evidence direct or circumstantial?
Those last two questions are more for Mr. Cahill to answer than the client, but it can help if the client knows, for example, that there’s a videotape of them surreptitiously putting the item in question into their backpack.
The key in any shoplifting case is to cast doubt and show evidence supporting the fact that you did not intentionally take the item, that the police report was written in a biased way, or that your rights were violated in the way that you were apprehended and held. If the facts truly seem stacked against you, it is always possible to try to plea bargain to get the charges against you reduced.
The main thing to remember is that you shouldn’t take this lightly. Criminal charges are always serious, and a conviction for a crime is something that can’t help but change your life.
You owe it to yourself and the people you love to seek out the strongest possible defense, and Kevin Cahill vows to give it to you.
Learn exactly what a shoplifting attorney like Kevin Cahill can do for you by contacting him to schedule a free initial consultation where he will go over the facts of your case and talk to you about possible defense strategies. Don’t delay – call now at (720) 445-9887 and start protecting your future.
ATTORNEY KEVIN CAHILL
Denver Defense Lawyer Kevin Cahill never assumes that your case is a lost cause. He is a confident and fearless litigator who refuses to back down when he is fighting to protect the rights of his clients. Regardless of whether you are facing a felony or a misdemeanor, it is vital that you take the charges seriously and seek out legal representation as soon as possible so you can start building your defense. [ ATTORNEY BIO ]
