Have you been charged with the crime of stealing in Breckenridge Hills, MO (or somewhere else in the surrounding St. Louis area)? Do you know what makes stealing a misdemeanor level crime, and what makes it a felony level offense? Are you trying to figure out what to do next? Is one option under consideration the idea of pleading guilty? If so, do you fully understand the consequences involved with such a decision? Are you familiar with the benefits one receives when they hire an experienced attorney to handle the matter for you?
We Keep Our Fees Low So That Everyone Can Have Legal RepresentationIf you are thinking about pleading guilty to the a Breckenridge Hills MO stealing charge, then you should be made aware of the fact that there are a few levels into which the state has divided this kind of charge.
As of January 1, 2017, the following laws regarding stealing / theft / shoplifting went into effect:
This is to say nothing of the long term consequences you will face in the future. If you have a criminal theft conviction on your permanent record, then it is going to be very difficult to get a decent job, or a good apartment, or secure a student loan, get into a good college, or keep your governmental benefits (like food stamps).
Pleading Guilty Is Not Your Best Option!!So what is the alternative to the negative outcomes described above? Glad you asked!! We want to first of all examine all of the facts surrounding your case to see if any viable defenses can be asserted on your behalf. We also want to work closely with the local prosecutor and possibly negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf (which normally results in a reduction of the charge to a lesser infraction, like “littering,” which does not even show up on your record). And at the very least, we would try and work out an SIS with the court. SIS stands for “suspended imposition of sentence,” which usually involves a period of probation of between one to two years. And if you complete the period of probation without any other run-ins with the law (in other words, so long as you do not get caught stealing again), then the charge will drop off altogether.
The affordable St. Louis stealing defense attorneys at The Bankruptcy Company, have been helping people with their theft charges for over ten (10) years. Our goal is to make sure that the charges leveled against you do not stay on your permanent record, and do any lasting damage. And we want to do all of this at an affordable price. The fees for a typical shoplifting case start at $450. But the initial consultation to discuss your legal issues is free of charge. So contact us today!!
We have two main locations: in the Central West End of St. Louis, at 1 North Taylor (on the corner of Taylor and Laclede), 63108; and in the Twin Cities of Festus / Crystal City, at 1000 Truman Blvd (Highway 61/67), 63019. The initial consultation is free of charge. So contact us today to learn more!!