Costa Mesa, Orange County - A Santa Ana woman was arrested for shoplifting last week at the South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
The suspect tells police she lost her job earlier this year and just wanted to provide her children with a nice Christmas.
During the holidays shoplifting and other theft crimes shoot way up, and, according to Costa Mesa criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti, with problems with the economy studies show shoplifting crimes are much more higher than this year than in previous years.
What the value this suspect allegedly shoplifted is what will make the difference on whether or not this person will be charged with petty theft or grand theft, says Guisti.
If the value was under $950 the suspect will be charged with petty theft, and if the value was over $950 she'll be charged with grand theft, explains Guisti.
It's very important to understand, says Guisti, it doesn't matter if she allegedly shoplifted a ton of items that could fill the back of her car, only that the value is below or above $950.
To that point, says Guisti, if she allegedly shoplifted a single $1,300 dress she'll be charged with grand theft, or if she allegedly stole hundreds of items, but the value only comes to $500 she can only be charged with petty theft.
Another very important point is what you say to police, because if you happened to tell them you thought about shoplifting before entering the store you can be charged with burglary, says Guisti.
The crime of burglary is when you plan to commit a felony or shoplifting before entering a store or other building, and simply saying to police you thought about shoplifting before entering the store is enough to invite this charge, explains Guisti.
Many times if you unknowingly admitted to police you planned to shoplift before entering the store a professional attorney can get rid of that charge, says Guisti.
Petty theft is a misdemeanor and grand theft could be charged as a misdemeanor or felony.
Shoplifting can create many problems, including immigration issues, but the expert Orange County shoplifting attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti can and will work to reduce this charge and help you get back on with your life.
Our Orange County theft crimes lawyer has over a decade of experience winning even the most shoplifting and burglary cases in Orange County and throughout Southern California.
Don't let a shoplifting charge ruin your holidays, call us now at 888-478-8999.
