Theft is a common and serious crime in Eastern Arkansas counties. It is particularly common among first-time offenders, or people who have no prior criminal record. Adults, minors, college students, professionals…all types get charged with this crime. Theft in Arkansas is defined as when a person knowingly takes or exercises control over or makes an unauthorized transfer of an interest in the property of another person with the purpose of depriving the owner of the property. It is also theft when someone knowingly obtains the property of another person by deception or by threat with the purpose of depriving the owner of the property.
Call Stegall Law Firm at 901-205-9894 for more information
So with shoplifting crimes you have to act knowingly, and you have to have the intent to commit the criminal act. If you did not have the intent to steal and were charged based on a mistake, contact a Forrest City shoplifting attorney. While stores are usually pretty good about singling out potential shoplifters, they aren’t perfect and mistakes do get made. If you have a defense to your charge, it’s going to depend on the facts of the case. You’re probably concerned about having this charge on your record. You should be. Having a criminal conviction can affect your employment prospects, getting scholarships or financial aid for school, your credit, and if you’re not a U.S. citizen it can impact your residency status.
For a first offender, you probably have a good chance of keeping it off your record. How that happens will depend on the judge in your case, but it could mean probation for six months or more, house arrest, paying fines and court costs, or any other conditions ordered by the court.
Contact Stegall Law
The first step is to contact an Arkansas shoplifting lawyer. Patrick Stegall represents people accused of crimes in Eastern Arkansas. Contact him at pstegall@stegall-law.com or (901) 205-9894.
