Is It Worth Fighting a Shoplifting Charge in Woodbridge, VA?

Shoplifting is prosecuted as a form of larceny in Virginia. As a result, a conviction can lead to steep fines, jail (or prison) time, and other serious consequences. This makes it worth hiring an experienced Woodbridge shoplifting lawyer who can help you fight to avoid a conviction by every available means.

If you have been charged with shoplifting in Woodbridge, you need to know what is at stake in your case. While some states treat shoplifting as a minor offense, Virginia treats it as a serious crime.

At a minimum, you can be charged with petit larceny. However, if you have been charged with stealing merchandise worth $1,000 or more, you can be charged with grand larceny—which is a felony. In all cases, shoplifting charges carry steep penalties, so it’s extremely important to have an experienced Woodbridge shoplifting lawyer on your side.

Do I Need a Lawyer if I Have Been Charged with Shoplifting in Woodbridge?

Any time you are facing criminal charges in Prince William County court, you have the right to represent yourself. You are not legally required to hire a lawyer. But, just because you can represent yourself, this doesn’t mean you should try to handle your case on your own.

Here’s why:

First, as mentioned above, Virginia law carries steep penalties for shoplifting. The specific penalties you are facing depend on whether you have been charged with stealing merchandise worth more or less than $1,000:

• Stealing Merchandise Worth Less Than $1,000 – In these cases, prosecutors charge shoplifting as petit larceny, a misdemeanor. If you’re convicted, you can face up to a $2,500 fine and 12 months in jail—plus the consequences of a conviction on your permanent record.
• Stealing Merchandise Worth $1,000 or More – In these cases, shoplifting is prosecuted as grand larceny. As mentioned above, this is a felony offense. If you get convicted, you can face up to a $2,500 fine and 20 years in prison, plus other life-altering consequences.

Second, while you may have various defenses available, defending against a shoplifting charge is not easy. You need to assert the right defenses, and you need to do so effectively. This requires an in-depth understanding of your constitutional rights and Virginia law.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

At Stevens Caruso, we have decades of experience defending clients in Prince William County. If you have been charged with shoplifting in Woodbridge, we can use our experience to help protect you by all means available. With that said, the clock is ticking, so we strongly encourage you to contact us right away.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Woodbridge Shoplifting Lawyer at Stevens Caruso

Are you facing a shoplifting charge in Woodbridge? If so, we can help—as long as you contact us in time. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Woodbridge shoplifting lawyer as soon as possible, call 703-897-1777 or tell us how we can reach you online now.