Irvine, Orange County - As the holiday season gets into full swing with shoppers going to the South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Fashion Island in Newport Beach and the Santa Ana MainPlace, among other places, there is always a rise in shoplifting.
A new report from the National Association of Shoplifting Prevention says on average one out of 11 people are shoplifters, and that most shoplifters are adults, and not teenagers as commonly believed.
Recently the advertising industry publication Adweek teamed up with the National Association of Shoplifting Prevention to compile a top ten list of most shoplifted items for 2011.
Believe it or not the top three most shoplifted items aren't what you may think. According to the study the third most shoplifted items are items like toothbrushes, razors and other common men's grooming products; the second most shoplifted item is premium alcohol; and the most shoplifted item, premium meats such as filet mignon.
Irvine criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti explains if you or somebody you know have recently been arrested for shoplifting you, or that person, need to remain quiet until you have an attorney present with you, because what you say could invite more serious charges like burglary.
During the course of the police's investigation they'll ask you if you planned or thought of shoplifting before you entered the store, and while that may not seem like a big deal admitting to police you thought of shoplifting prior to entering the store that admission invites burglary charges, according to Guisti.
The crime of burglary, says Guisti, is when you plan to commit petty theft or a felony before entering a store, and that is why if you happen to tell police you thought of shoplifting before going into the store you'll be charged with burglary.
A lot of shoplifting cases are done on impulse where somebody entered the store with no intention of shoplifting, but the person discovers what looks like an opportunity and, frankly, tries their luck, says Guisti.
If you entered the store with no intentions or plans of shoplifting you shouldn't be charged with burglary, says Guisti, and that is why it's always important to retain a professional shoplifting attorney who can work to get rid of these unwarranted charges.
The next big thing in shoplifting charges is if you're going to be charged with petty theft or grand theft. You're charged with a petty theft if the items you allegedly stole were under $950, and grand theft charges are brought on if you allegedly store over $950, says Guisti.
It's very important to note, says Guisti, it doesn't matter how many items you allegedly shoplifted, only that its value is below or above $950. For example, If you went to the South Coast Plaza and allegedly stole a single dress worth $1,500 you'll face grand theft charges, or if you allegedly shoplifted tons of clothing items that fill up your car, but the value only came to $600 you would only face petty theft charges, according to Guisti.
We know times are tough for a lot of people and sometimes desperate measures are taken by people who wouldn't normally do such a thing, but whatever your case may be it's important to understand this is a serious charge, which is why you must call the Orange County shoplifting attorney experts at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti at 888-478-8999.
A shoplifting charge shouldn't ruin your holiday season, which is why you need to call our theft crimes defense lawyers who have over a decade of experience of dismissing, reducing or having our clients found not guilty of shoplifting charges in the courts of Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.
