Arrested for Shoplifting?

Shoplifting is considered a serious crime, whether it refers to an item that only values at $20, or a theft of something worth hundreds of dollars. Therefore, the short answer is yes, a shoplifting charge in Kentucky can cause issues with future potential jobs. You can protect yourself from job rejections by hiring an experienced Kentucky criminal defense lawyer. If you are charged with any theft crime, you should hire an experienced attorney.

Most Employers Run Background Checks

Most job applications require you to list if you have been arrested for any crime. Employers are most interested if you have been charged with a crime of theft, violence or addiction. One study revealed that 50% of the applicants for a job will not be interviewed if they have a charge or conviction on their application.  It is better to be honest and disclose the arrest, rather than look like both a thief and a liar when the background check comes back.

Penalties For Shoplifting

Shoplifting is classified as a crime of theft,  penalties for theft  escalate tremendously as the value of the stolen items increase. In addition, even for a minor theft charge you can be sentenced to up to one year in jail for a misdemeanor theft. Therefore, someone who steals $200 worth of items will be penalized less harshly than someone who stole $5000 worth of goods. The value of the goods stolen also determines whether the theft is considered a misdemeanor or a felony and whether there will be a fine or jail time attached to the penalty.

Consequences

Those are only the short-term consequences of shoplifting, however. In the long-term, as we mentioned, you will also face trouble when applying to jobs. Even if the job application does not ask you if you have ever been arrested, you could still face the embarrassment of a background check that comes back with shoplifting on it. Do not fight these charges yourself or you might end up settling for a deal with implications and consequences you may not understand.

Your best bet is to contact a Kentucky criminal defense lawyer who knows the defenses that can be used in a shoplifting case if you have been arrested and charged with shoplifting. In many cases, we can raise specific defenses or suppress evidence, or even negotiate bargains, including agreements to diversion program attendance; to minimize the short- and long-term consequences that shoplifting can impose.