The path that life takes any Georgia resident differs from person to person. In some cases, people may wonder how their lives ended up just where they did. This feeling may be particularly prevalent for individuals who have had criminal charges brought against them.
If authorities have accused you of some type of theft, your mind may already be reeling in regard to how you ended up in this situation. Unfortunately, the worry and anxiety you feel may not be helping you determine how to best address the criminal charges you face. Fortunately, you can help yourself by becoming more knowledgeable about the allegations and your legal options.
Are you accused of shoplifting?
Like all other states, Georgia has laws against shoplifting. If you found yourself in an encounter with police officers because someone accused you of this crime, you may have initially felt that it was all a misunderstanding. Of course, it may have become all too real when officers put you in handcuffs.
If you face a charge for shoplifting, you do not have to feel as if you are out of luck. You have the right to defend against any criminal charge brought against you. In order to create a meaningful defense, you may want to understand the exact action that authorities believe you carried out, which could include any of the following:
- Altering the price tag of an item
- Changing the price tag from one item to another
- Moving items from one container to another
- Concealing items
- Taking possession of items without paying
- Wrongfully causing the amount paid to be less than the indicated price
The intent of shoplifting involves taking merchandise without paying or otherwise depriving the owner of possession of the merchandise.
How can you defend against charges?
Even if formal charges have come against you, you could still argue that the situation was a misunderstanding. For example, you may have draped a coat over an item without thinking while walking through a store, and a store employee may have thought that you intentionally concealed it. Because the most minor detail could have a major effect on your case, it is wise to thoroughly review the situation.
Additionally, it is a smart move to enlist help when dealing with criminal charges. A criminal defense attorney could help you understand the charges brought against you and your available legal options for addressing them.
