What Happens if I am Caught Shoplifting in New York?

Individuals facing theft charges in New York State may have the rest of their lives negatively impacted without the help of an experienced attorney. If you have been charged with a theft crime, here are some of the questions you may have:

What are the consequences of larceny in New York?

• Stealing property valued at $1,000 or less: This is petit larceny, which is a class A misdemeanor. If convicted of a petit larceny charge, you may face a $1000 fine and up to one year of incarceration.
• Stolen property valued between $1,000-$3,000: If convicted, you will face a charge of grand larceny in the fourth degree, which is a class E felony. These charges come with fines up to $5000, or double the amount of your gain from the theft, as well as a potential jail sentence of up to four years.
• Property valued between $3,000-$50,000: This is grand larceny in the third degree and is a class D felony. This is a very serious offense, and if you are convicted, you may have to pay extremely overwhelming fines, as well as spend up to 7 years in prison.
• Stolen property valued between $50,000-$1 million: This is grand larceny in the second degree, a class C felony. If convicted, you will be forced to pay potentially crippling fines and spend up to 15 years in prison.
• Stolen property valued at $1 million or more: This is considered grand larceny in the first degree. This is a class B felony, which means you face up to 25 years of imprisonment, as well as heavy fines.

Do I need an attorney to help me fight a larceny charge?

Make no mistake, whether you are facing petit larceny charges or grand larceny in the first degree, you must hire an attorney who has experience defending clients facing theft charges. In some cases, those who are first-time, low-level offenders may qualify for a diversion program, which can help them keep their record clean. However, this, and any other potential plea bargain may only come as a result of a seasoned attorney’s hard work. If you believe you were unlawfully arrested, or the circumstances of your arrest were unwarranted, there is a very good chance an attorney can help you walk free.

Contact our experienced Rockland County firm

Kevin T. Conway has over 30 years of experience as a Spring Valley criminal attorney handling DUI, DWI, traffic violations, violent crimes, sex crimes, illegal gun possession, shoplifting, and juvenile crimes. Attorney Conway is also experienced in commercial law matters, zoning law, and estate planning. If you need a Rockland County criminal lawyer, contact our Spring Valley office for a free consultation.