There are thousands of laws in the books in this country and in New York in particular. More than 7.6 million people live in the Long Island area alone, and the simple fact is that mistakes are made and criminal charges might be faced by you or someone you know. Among the most common criminal charges is shoplifting.
In the grand scheme of things, shoplifting charges seem kind of minor – especially when compared to things like kidnapping, armed robbery, and drug charges. But while they are usually a misdemeanor charge, and while most people regard them as ‘not that big of a deal’, the reality is that shoplifting charges can have numerous impacts on your life, and those repercussions can last for many years if you’re convicted.
It is easy to assume that shoplifting means a small fine and some probation, but there are many overlooked potential repercussions that you should consider. Simply put, shoplifting can have more of an impact than you might think. Here are just a couple of examples of what kind of repercussions could come from shoplifting charges.
- Jail Time – When most people think of shoplifting, they don’t think of jail sentences. But even a misdemeanor could bring with it up to one year in jail. And if you are charged with felony theft due to the amount of goods shoplifted, you could even receive 4 or more years – up to a maximum of 25 years in severe cases. It’s not common, but jail sentences are a possibility.
- Criminal Record – This is the most commonly overlooked aspect of a shoplifting charge. If convicted, this is something that will go on your record for some time. As a result, it can reduce your ability to find employment, to secure a loan, and much more. Today, the vast majority of employers run criminal history checks to find out more about your past before you’re hired on, so this could impact you much more than you realize.
Those are just two examples. A shoplifting conviction could impact everything from your employment possibilities to the way that friends and relatives think about you. As a result, it’s important that you get the kind of representation you deserve when facing these charges. They are a much bigger deal than you probably think, and can have a big impact on many facets of your life. A good defense is the first step towards reducing the chances of dealing with these major repercussions.