Last Updated on: 26th July 2023, 08:56 pm

So you’ve been snagged for shoplifting and now you’re knee-deep in legal hot water – it happens, but don’t worry, Todd Spodek with the Spodek Law Group is here to assist you.

Shoplifting Laws in Brooklyn

Here’s the deal – in New York, shoplifting is not dealt with lightly. It falls under larceny, which is just a fancy way of saying stealing. So basically, you take something that doesn’t belong to you, with plans of keeping it from the rightful owner, and bam, you’ve committed a crime.

Seems straightforward, right? Well, consequences can be pretty thick. There might be hefty fines and jail time depending on how much the stolen stuff is worth. Not only that, but the folks who own the store can also take you to court to make you pay for the losses they’ve suffered – trust me, they won’t be happy about their merchandise walking out the door unpaid.

The scope of all this can actually be a bit tricky, but let me put it this way: Shoplifters – whether you’re all grown-up and doing this or if you’re a minor but emanicpated – can be sued by the store owners. If the stolen merchandise doesn’t make it way back in its original shape, the owners can demand the retail value of it to the sum of $1,500. If that wasn’t hard-hitting enough, store owners may also claim a penalty of $75 or five times the value of the merchandise, whichever turns out to be the bigger, up to $500.

The Aftermath of Shoplifting

Now, what happens after you’ve been caught? Does it get significantly worse? Well, shoplifting consequences follow the ‘you reap what you sow’ principle. For example, if the stolen item is worth less than or equal to $1,000, you’re looking down the barrel of a Petit Larceny or what we like to call a Class A Misdemeanor. Basically, this means you could end up spending up to a year in jail and/or paying a fine of up to $1,000.

If the stolen goods are worth more than $1,000 but not more than $3,000, it’s Grand Larceny in the 4th Degree or a Class E Felony. That sounds a bit scary, right? And for a good reason – we’re talking up to four years of imprisonment with a fine which can’t exceed $5,000 or twice the amount of the offender’s gain from shoplifting.

But hold up, it can get even more serious. Suppose you shoplift items that are worth more than $50,000 but less than or equal to $1 million. Well that, my friend, escalates things to Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree, a Class D Felony. Now, you’re facing up to seven years in lockup and a fine, which could be up to $5,000 or twice the amount of the offender’s gain.

How Can an Attorney Help?

At this point, you must be thinking, can Todd Spodek with the Spodek Law Group really do anything to help in this charade? Absolutely!
There are angles we can exploit – you may be eligible for a diversion program or a good old plea bargain if it’s your first run-in with the law or if it’s a low-level offense in the eyes of the court. This could mean that rather than serving time, you pay restitution or do some community work, leading to dropped charges.

A solid attorney like Todd can also help you negotiate a plea bargain if things look a bit bleak. In such a scenario, you’d agree to accept your misdemeanor in return for a softer blow.

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer

Why bother with Todd Spodek or Spodek Law Group, you may ask? Simple – Todd can significantly reduce your chances of watching the world go by behind bars and help you get back on your feet. Remember, we all trip and fall sometimes, what’s critical is that we dust ourselves off and grow from it.

By connecting with a seasoned criminal lawyer like Todd Spodek in Brooklyn, you can make sure you’re taking the right steps to address your misstep. So let’s not waste time, reach out to Spodek Law Group Real deal legal help is just a phone call away.

How Does Shoplifting Affect Society?

You see, shoplifting isn’t as simple as it seems. It triggers a domino effect in our society. How? When goods are stolen, this means loss for merchants which can force them to hike prices to cover their loss and continue their business. Who bears the brunt of all this? Folks like you and me, of course. No one wants to pay more for stuff just because others are deciding they simply won’t. It’s a chain of events that is entirely unfair to honest customers and it hurts businesses.

Does the Value of Stolen Goods Affect Plea Bargains?

In some cases, believe it or not, the value of the stolen items can impact heavily on a plea deal. Generally, the more expensive the stolen goods, the less likely a prosecutor will cut you some slack.

We’ve already discussed various degrees of larceny, with their respective punishments, based on the value of stolen goods. The greater the value, the tougher bargain it’ll be to strike. This is precisely where the skilled negotiation of an attorney like Todd Spodek can make the world of difference.

What About Repeat Offences?

It’s important to point out that repeat offences can have damning consequences on your case. Let’s say you’ve been down this road before – even if it were years ago. The fact that you’ve previously been convicted for shoplifting will make it much more difficult for you to get a favorable outcome.

Your previous record could be considered by a judge when sentencing, and trust me, they’re unlikely to be lenient if you’ve been caught in the act before. But even in such circumstances, a tough and savvy lawyer like Todd can still help cajole the best feasible outcome.

Importance of Legal Representation

Finally, remember that facing a charge for shoplifting is certainly not the end of the world, especially when you have reliable legal representation. A good lawyer like Todd Spodek can help you navigate the turbulent waters of the legal system without sinking.

With Spodek Law Group, you can rest assured that your case will be painstakingly analyzed for every possible defensive angle and that every avenue of help will be tailored to your unique situation.

So, now that you have the scoop on shoplifting and its legal implications, it’s clear that getting yourself entangled in such a mess is not good news. Remember the old saying, “Prevention is better than cure?” Well, it applies here too. But if you do find yourself in this unfortunate situation, reach out to the Spodek Law Group right away – they’ve got your back!