All around South Carolina people are being arrested and ticketed for shoplifting. Around Lexington the same is true, with our office constantly seeing those charged with shoplifting from places like:
- Wal-Mart
- Target
- Khol’s
- Best Buy
- Belk’s
Why is this? Well, retail stores are feeling the crunch from online sellers like Amazon. This means increased pressures to keep prices down and control overhead, giving them strong incentives to try to minimize thefts.
Even if it is your first offense, a shoplifting charge can have serious consequences. The fine can be over $2,000, and we are aware of Richland and Lexington county magistrate judges, and area city courts such as Columbia and Lexington actually imposing jail sentences.
Beyond those immediate consequences if you get a conviction it can haunt you for the rest of your life. Shoplifting is considered a crime of moral turpitude. This legal term indicates a crime of dishonesty, and it will absolutely wreck an employment application or background check.
If you’ve been charged with shoplifting your first step should be to request a copy of our free report, What You Don’t Know About Shoplifting Can Ruin Your Life. This will give you the information that you must know in order to make the best decision about your case.