Weber Law Firm, L.C.

Protecting You At Every Step

Photo of Attorney Matthew J. Weber

St. Peters Shoplifting Attorney

Missouri Theft Defense Lawyer

Shoplifting is considered stealing in Missouri. Shoplifting is a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property involved is less than $500 and does not involve dangerous items like firearms. If convicted for shoplifting, you could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Additionally, if you have a charge of stealing on your criminal record you may encounter difficulties finding a job, renting an apartment, or qualifying for certain kinds of student financial aid. At the Weber Law Firm, L.C., we’ve defended numerous people accused of shoplifting. In most cases, retailers do not want to waste time and money on a shoplifting case. As a result, it may be possible to reach an agreement with a retailer that involves dropping the charges altogether. If the charges aren’t dropped, the county prosecutor may be persuaded to reduce the sentence against you if you agree to perform community service or seek counseling.

If you’ve been arrested for shoplifting, contact St. Peters, Missouri shoplifting attorney Matt Weber today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case to learn how we can help you.

Shoplifting and Retailers

We counsel and defend people arrested for shoplifting in the following retail stores:

  • Wal-Mart
  • Target
  • Kohl’s
  • JCPenney
  • Macy’s
  • Dillard’s

I Received a Letter From the Store — Should I Pay Them?

It’s not uncommon for stores to send someone caught shoplifting in their store a letter asking them to pay a certain amount to avoid paying civil damages later. Most people mistakenly believe if they pay the amount requested, the matter will be resolved and they won’t have to go to court. In reality, your criminal case is a separate issue from any civil proceedings brought against you. Consequently, even if you pay a retailer the amount requested you still have to resolve the shoplifting charge against you in criminal court.

In most cases, however, retailers are not willing to invest money and time pursuing civil damages against someone accused of shoplifting in their store. For this reason, it’s important to consult our attorney, who can evaluate your case and discuss the options available to you. Since Matt has represented numerous people arrested for shoplifting, he can review the letter sent to you and advise you as to whether you should respond to it or resolve the matter through other means.

Contact St. Peters, Missouri, Shoplifting Defense Attorney Matt Weber

If you’ve been arrested for shoplifting, contact St. Peters’ criminal defense attorney Matt Weber today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. In some cases, if store security violated your rights or acted improperly, the charges against you may be dismissed. Don’t plead “guilty” to a shoplifting charge until you’ve consulted an attorney first — it can mean the difference between a reduced sentence or charge and additional, unwanted legal complications.