Here in Kentucky, petty theft by taking charges in Bullitt County are defined more by the value of the goods taken as part of our theft by unlawful taking or disposition laws. Crimes commonly referred to as petty theft and shoplifting may seem like relatively insignificant offenses. Still, they can and will have not only consequences now but can also change the quality of your future.
From the perspective of Kentucky’s theft by unlawful taking or disposition laws, these charges may seem to have somewhat limited consequences. However, even when the property in question is worth less than $500, the charge can be a Class B misdemeanor with the likelihood of a fine and even the potential for up to 90 days in jail. If the property in question has an estimated value between $500 and $1,000, the fine can be $500, and the jail sentence increases to as much as 1 year.
If the value of the property is over $1,000 (and less than $10,000), which includes most modern cell phones, the shoplifting and petty theft by taking charges will be a Class D Felony, featuring a fine of between $1,000 to $10,000 or double the amount of the stolen goods, whichever is higher, as well as a prison sentence of 1 to 5 years.
If this is not your first criminal offense, or if you are convicted of three thefts within a 5-year period, the repeated violations can escalate minor consequences to Class D felony and serious prison time and fines.
Shoplifting and petty theft by taking charges can also have consequences in your personal life. Even if this is your first brush with the law or the only crime you have been formally charged with, theft charges will have a significant impact down the road. Any employer will consider a theft charge to be a question of character. We’ve known people who were pursuing their “dream job” several years later, only to find out they are no longer being considered because of “that old shoplifting (or petty theft) charge.” The record will follow you, and a momentary decision can lead to increased risks in the future, no matter which direction your life ultimately takes.
My name is John Schmidt, and after more than 25 years as an attorney serving the people of Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, and the surrounding region, I can tell you it is essential to take these cases seriously. If this is your first offense, there is a lot I can do to help you and protect your options for the rest of your life. If this is not your first brush with shoplifting and petty theft by taking charges, you will probably face some harsh financial consequences and potential prison time. There is a lot I can do to help you that you cannot accomplish on your own.
As your criminal defense lawyer, I will aggressively and proactively investigate every aspect of the actions of law enforcement, evidence collection, witness and informant statements, and whether or not your rights were violated at any point in the process. I work to reduce the severity of criminal charges and potential consequences you face or to achieve an outright dismissal of your case.
We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the advice and aggressive criminal defense you need and deserve. At the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates we bring more than 25 years of experience to your side of the equation, manage the situation you face and the allegations against you, and work hard to achieve a much better outcome in your case than you can or will accomplish on your own.
