Shoplifting falls under the criminal offense of "Theft." As a form of theft, Shoplifting may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the "Value" of the items that are associated with the shoplifting crime.
Shoplifting may be charged as a misdemeanor if the "value" of the items unlawfully taken are less than $300.00. If the "value" of the items are $300.00 or greater, the accused may be charged with a felony.
If you noticed, we put the word "value" in parenthesis. Why did we do this? Because the ACTUAL value of the items should be applied to the criminal charge, not necessarily the labeled price. Think about it. You could go to 50 different stores that carry the same products in question, and discover all five locations charge a different amount for the same product. Therefore when we investigate your shoplifting case, we will seek a provable price or "value" of the items in question. This could mean the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony criminal charge.
Shoplifting is a crime of intent and informed knowledge of possession of the items in question. We have seen many cases where the individual had no idea that another person they were with intentionally or unintentionally dropped an item in the accused purse or his or her backpack.
Being accused of shoplifting does not mean a conviction is automatic. The experience of the lawyer you hire to represent and protect your rights could be the difference between a conviction, acquittal, dropped charges, or a reduced plea agreement.
Be proactive in protecting your legal rights. Speak to Criminal Defense Lawyer, Adam B. Reiss.
I was born in 1959 and graduated from Winter Park High School in 1977.
Education: I attended the Florida State University and graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor of arts major in English/minor in Spanish. Subsequent to my undergraduate degree, I obtained my Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.
Member of: I was admitted to the Florida Bar in October of 1985 and have been admitted to the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida since 1986. Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Court October of 1992 and a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys as well as the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. I served as vice chair of Grievance Committee 9-D, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, Florida for the Florida Bar. On September 15, 2000, after an extensive and confidential peer review by members of the Florida Bar, I was awarded an AV rating in Martindale Hubbell. The AV rating identifies a lawyer with very high to pre-eminent legal ability the same is a reflection of expertise, experience, integrity and overall professional excellence.
He has served as lead counsel in multiple serious felony charges as well as civil litigation/personal injury/medical malpractice and significant appellate experience.
ADAM B. REISS - BIOGRAPHY › › ›
I was born in 1959 and graduated from Winter Park High School in 1977.
Education: I attended the Florida State University and graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor of arts major in English/minor in Spanish. Subsequent to my undergraduate degree, I obtained my Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.
Member of: I was admitted to the Florida Bar in October of 1985 and have been admitted to the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida since 1986. Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Court October of 1992 and a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys as well as the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. I served as vice chair of Grievance Committee 9-D, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, Florida for the Florida Bar. On September 15, 2000, after an extensive and confidential peer review by members of the Florida Bar, I was awarded an AV rating in Martindale Hubbell. The AV rating identifies a lawyer with very high to pre-eminent legal ability the same is a reflection of expertise, experience, integrity and overall professional excellence.
He has served as lead counsel in multiple serious felony charges as well as civil litigation/personal injury/medical malpractice and significant appellate experience.
ADAM B. REISS - BIOGRAPHY › › ›
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