Massachusetts Shoplifting Charges

DelSignore Law can help you get your shoplifting charge dismissed and to avoid criminal charge. We have been successful helping people at Clerk Magistrate hearings and in Court avoid criminal convictions on Shoplifting and Larceny charges.

Clerk Magistrate Hearings: Many shoplifting charges start with a clerk magistrate hearing. This is a chance to present the criminal charges from going forward. At DelSignore Law, we have been highly successful in helping individuals avoid criminal charges for shoplifting at clerk magistrate hearings. When you receive a summons to appear before the clerk magistrate for a shoplifting charge, you have not been charged yet with any criminal conduct.

The hearings is to determine if the charges should issue. At DelSignore Law, we will help you prepare for that hearing to prevent the charges from being issued. Typically, at these hearings we focus on your background and attempt to persuade the Clerk to adopt alternative proposals other than issuing the criminal charges. This approach we have employed at DelSignore Law has been highly successful over the years.

Defending Shoplifting cases in Courts Throughout Massachusetts.

If the criminal charges issues and you have to go to Court, At DelSignore Law we have defended clients in courts throughout Massachusetts. In most cases we will be able to resolve your shoplifting charge without any admission tot he crime.

Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney Michael DelSignore has the knowledge and experience to aggressively fight shoplifting and larceny charges. Sometimes, a thorough review of the case will permit the evidence to be challenged because of an illegal search or other legal issue. Successfully arguing for a reduction or dismissal of the charges can prevent you from having a criminal conviction on your record. In other cases, building a defense for trial and forcing the state to attempt to prove its case is the best course of action.

Without a proper defense, being charged with shoplifting in Norfolk or Bristol County is a crime that can follow a person for many years. Unfortunately, defendants sometimes decide to quickly plead guilty in an effort to put the embarrassing incident behind them. We believe that is a mistake. Being convicted of shoplifting can have long-term consequences, including difficulty in obtaining employment in a wide range of jobs that involve either money or merchandise.

Massachusetts Shoplifting Law (Chapter 266 Section 30A), makes it illegal to “intentionally conceal, take possession of, carry away, transfer or cause to be carried away” any merchandise without paying the merchant. The law also covers label-switching and other means of obtaining merchandise for less than retail value.

In addition to shoplifting, law enforcement may also charge a defendant with larceny in some cases. Generally, larceny carries the potential for a stiffer penalty if convicted. The value of the items involved can also significantly impact the penalty for either a Massachusetts shoplifting or larceny charge. By successfully challenging the value of the items, an experienced attorney can often seek a significant reduction of charges.

Probable cause is another area where a Massachusetts defense lawyer can frequently challenge shoplifting charges. Inappropriate actions of store employees, store security guards or police officers may be grounds for having a shoplifting charge dismissed. Inappropriate detention, or the search and seizure of your shopping bags or vehicle, may also be grounds for a legal challenge that can result in the reduction or dismissal of charges.

The important message here is that it costs you nothing to consult with an experienced and well-qualified attorney, while going it along and pleading out can be a mistake that follows you for years. Do yourself the favor of at least speaking with an attorney before making any decisions.

Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael DelSignore represents clients facing shoplifting and larceny charges throughout Massachusetts. Call today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. At DelSignore Law, we can handle your shoplifting charge anywhere in Massachusetts; we have handled cases with the Wrentham outlets, Natick Mall, North Shore Mall, stores like Target and Sephora are some of the common stores we have helped our client avoid shoplifting charges and or convictions against.

Call or text DelSignore Law at 781-686-5924 to learn the best defenses and ways to avoid a conviction on your Massachusetts Shoplifting Charge.