May 7^th 2024
Shoplifting by Concealing Merchandise
Shoplifting over $250 by Concealing Merchandise
Shoplifting over $250 by Concealing Merchandise
Client was a pleasant young married woman with no criminal record. She went shopping to in a high-end cosmetics store and on three separate occasions she took item(s) that did not belong to her—stole them. On the third occasion she was confronted by security, which included a very brief physical touching. Security at this location had identified client before but had not apprehended her. On the last event, security reported to police and police inquired and tried to interview client and she denied the allegations. She was served with a summons to appear before a clerk magistrate and had two months to prepare for the hearing and that included, going to a therapist to review her behavior and remedy the underlying reasons for the theft (Often times, there is a depression, anxiety or anger that can cause someone to repeatedly take something when they can pay). We developed a long background memorandum on client, we also sent her to a online shoplifting course, and finally prepared to pay restitution. In the end, there was an agreement to not issue the complaint if she completed 25 hours community service as well—to which we embraced as the complaint does not go forward and still has no criminal history or record.
RESULT: Complaint Does Not go Forward to Arraignment.