What Should I Do If I’ve Been Stopped for Shoplifting?

Maybe you’ve been caught shoplifting in Miami. or you’ve been unfairly accused of shoplifting in Hialeah, Coral Gables, Aventura or Coconut Grove. Either way, there’s a good chance the police will get involved.

Take it from Miami criminal defense attorney Albert Quirantes: there’s a lot that the cops and store personnel will do to try to trick you into making their case for them. But not if you KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

If you want to maximize your chances that you’re not stuck with a conviction, here are a few things that you absolutely never should do. Don’t make these mistakes! Then it’ll be easier for your criminal defense lawyer to fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed.

DON’T

Don’t Sign.

Do not under any circumstances sign anything that anyone puts in front of you. It could be a statement, a receipt, anything. If a store employee picks up a gum wrapper and asks you to sign, your answer must be a polite no.

If you sign anything, it’s going to be used against you. It’s never in your best interests.

Don’t Admit.

Never admit anything. A cop or store employee might try to get you to “fess up” or “come clean” before they “let you go.” Don’t do it!

There are many steps a store must follow to actually be able to prove shoplifting. There’s a lot that they can do incorrectly on their end. That’s why a Miami criminal defense attorney with extensive experience defending people accused of shoplifting can be so effective in blowing up their case.

But it’s harder if you’ve confessed. Then you’ve done their jobs for them.

Don’t Believe.

Never believe anything the police, store employees, or loss prevention personnel tell you when you’ve been accused of shoplifting.

Their favorite trick? Telling you that, once you sign a statement, they’ll let you go. Don’t believe it!

Here’s a secret: if you remember these two statistics, you’ll remember not to fall for their tricks. (1) The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention claims that almost 10% of all people have shoplifted. (2) They also claim that only about 2% of shoplifters actually get caught. In other words, that shoplifters get caught only once every 48 times they steal.

So if they’ve caught you shoplifting, or accused you of petit theft, guess what? That loss prevention specialist in Miami or that manager in Broward County thinks you steal all the time.

They don’t know you. They don’t think you’re nice. They’re not looking to do a favor for you. So don’t believe what they tell you, and don’t sign or admit anything.

DO:

Stay Calm.

Stay calm and polite when you’ve been accused of shoplifting. If you try to run, shove anyone, or make threats, you can make your situation much worse.

Ask for Your Experienced Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer, Albert Quirantes.

Miami Shoplifting attorney Albert Quirantes knows how to (1) attack the state’s shoplifting case, (2) seek discovery that can be the key to your defense, and (3) try to keep the prosecution from using certain evidence. (Like fuzzy video that they claim shows you taking something.)

Your lawyer will do everything he can to get your charges reduced or dismissed, or to get you into a diversionary program that also avoids a conviction.

If you don’t think you can afford an attorney, guess again. Albert Quirantes gives you a free consultation and affordable payment plans so that the people who most need it can afford excellent representation.

And that’s much less expensive than having to face jail and fines for a shoplifting conviction. Or the problems down the road when you apply for a job, college, or the military and they see a petit theft conviction on your record.

Increase your knowledge! If you want to know more about how to resolve the problems you face when charged with a criminal offense in Florida, then you can follow Miami Criminal Attorney Albert M. Quirantes on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.

If you have any questions about this or any other criminal accusation, call Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer Albert Quirantes at: 305-644-1800 or visit our homepage www.CriminalDefendant.com for a direct link to the office or a text message or a map and directions to our office.