As a college student in Virginia, it’s possible that you may make some decisions that could impact your ability to continue attending school. Mark B. Arthur, P.C., is here to fight for people like you who may have made a regrettable mistake, but don’t deserve to have your whole life turned upside-down because of it.
Shoplifting is a crime that some people may falsely treat as less severe than it is. Because it’s relatively common, there’s an equally common notion that one can simply take a few things in the store and walk out without paying. These people believe that they will never be caught, or that the penalty will be extremely light if they are.
But did you know that shoplifting can actually be considered a felony in some cases? If the items you stole have a total value of over $200, the crime is considered felony theft, or grand larceny. Compare this to shoplifting a total value of less than $200 of goods, which is considered petit larceny and is considered a misdemeanor by the state.
Misdemeanors should still be avoided, as they can leave a mark on your record or the way other people view you, including the people who might be supplying you with scholarships or looking at your applications. Felonies are worse and can result in hefty fines, jail time, and potentially expulsion.
Taking an aggressive stance against the theft charges set against you is one of the best steps you can take. If you are facing shoplifting charges of any sort for any reason, you may want to browse through our web page on criminal charges and defense before contacting an attorney that can help.
