Boston Shoplifting by Ringing Up False Price Attorney serving Massachusetts and the Greater Boston area including South Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy, New Bedford, Taunton, Attleboro, Lowell, Woburn, Medford, Waltham, Wareham, Lynn, Lawrence, Wrentham, Dedham, Salem, Fall River, Brookline, Chelsea, Worcester, Framingham, Everett, Revere, Dorchester and Roxbury and all smaller cities and rural areas in Massachusetts.
Boston Criminal Theft and Shoplifting Defense Attorneys
Shoplifting is one of the most commonly committed, and commonly prosecuted, crimes in the state of Massachusetts. A conviction for shoplifting usually entails minimal jail time and financial penalties, but it can leave a permanent mark on your record that may make it difficult, even years later, to find a job, obtain a loan, or rent housing—which is why it is important to have an experienced lawyer at your side who will work hard to defend your rights.
There are many forms of shoplifting including shoplifting by ringing up a false price. In order to find the defendant guilty, the prosecution has to prove four things:
- The defendant intentionally rang up merchandise at the cash register;
- The price rung up was less than the actual price;
- The defendant knew he or she rang up the lesser price; and
- The defendant did so to prevent the store owner from getting paid in full.
This form of shoplifting usually involves a cashier and shopper working together. The shopper will bring the merchandise to the cashier’s register where the cashier will charge less than the actual cost of the merchandise. The shopper will pay the reduced price and leave.
Clerk Magistrates Hearing
Shoplifting is a misdemeanor crime. As a practical matter, police in Massachusetts have limited powers to arrest someone for a misdemeanor crime that was not committed in their presence. Generally speaking, a police officer can only arrest someone for shoplifting if he has probable cause to believe the person committed the offense of shoplifting.
If an employee or business owner shows the police officer video footage from surveillance cameras that show someone shoplifting, then the officer has probable cause to arrest that individual. However, police officers and surveillance cameras cannot witness every crime. In these situations the police will not arrest the individual but instead will apply for a complaint at the local district court. The person accused in the complaint of shoplifting will receive a notice to appear for a clerk magistrates hearing or “show cause” hearing.
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Shoplifting Crimes in Massachusetts
Our criminal defense attorneys have the experience to defend you against an array of shoplifting crimes including:
- Shoplifting by Asportation
- Shoplifting by Switching a Price Tag
- Shoplifting by Switching Containers
- Shoplifting by Concealing Merchandise
- Shoplifting by Ringing Up a False Price
- Shoplifting Over or Under $250 Dollars
- Larceny Over/Under $1,200 (Property Theft)
Free Consultation With Experienced Boston Area Shoplifting Defense Lawyers
If you have been charged with shoplifting, you need an attorney at your side who knows the ins and outs of Massachusetts’ complicated larceny laws. If you’re a first-time offender, the experts at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan may be able to have the charges dismissed entirely and erased from your permanent record, usually in exchange for a fine and a period of probation. More serious, or repeat, charges of shoplifting may be negotiable with the district attorney, since it’s very rare that shoplifting cases are brought all the way to a judge or jury.
No matter where you are located, our larceny theft attorneys are just a phone call away. Call the Shoplifting Defense Attorneys at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today to schedule a free no-obligation case review and consultation at (508) 588-0422 and you will have taken your first step to find out how best to confront this important matter. You can also click here to use our Free Case Evaluation Form.
Our Boston Larceny Shoplifting Lawyer represent residents of Plymouth County including Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Hingham, Duxbury, Scituate, Hanover, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Holbrook, Kingston, Middleborough; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Dartmouth, Westport, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Lakeville, Norton; Cape Cod, Falmouth, Barnstable.
