Shoplifting Arrest During the Holidays

Probably a combination of time away from work and school, and an increase in advertising and display of tantalizing merchandise seems to give rise annually in an increase in shoplifting arrests during or near the Holidays. Some of these shoplifting cases may be attributable to low income parents resorting to the only means available to provide their children and family members with worthwhile gift. This is probably the minority of these cases.

Along with an increase in shoplifting charges, in Williamson County and other surrounding counties in Middle Tennessee, there seems to be an increase in the severity of the consequences for shoplifting, as well. Prosecuting attorneys seems to become cynical around the holidays and their plea bargain offers are usually more strict and require more jail time, community service, and other conditions. If you are charged with shoplifting during the holidays, or any other time of year, you should seek the help of a Criminal Defense Attorney who is familiar with the court system in which you will be facing these charges. You can call me, John Milazo, at (615) 599-7719 or CLICK HERE to leave me a message through my website and I will return your message shortly.

Most people don’t think that stealing from a store is as serious or wrong as stealing from a person. In some cases this may be true as large department stores and retail outlets such as Kohl’s, Macy’s, Dillard’s, and Best Buy build into their price and profit margin a budget loss due to theft. This only serves to raise the price as to everyone else who purchases these items legitimately, but there remains some credibility that this is better than stealing from some little old lady or a small child. Often, however, little old ladies and young adults are the small business owner/operators who are the ones that are the most devastated by shoplifting during the holidays or at any other time. Prosecutors and Judges are elected by these middle class conservative minded people who demand that they remain tough on crime. While these people may never know how lenient a prosecutor or judge treats defendants charged with Simple Possession or DUI, they are keenly aware of which judges and prosecutors are soft on shoplifting offenders. It is important to have an attorney who is experienced in handling shoplifting cases and who is familiar with the prosecutors and judges in the court system that you are charged. If you are charged in Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee; Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee; Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee or any of the counties in the Middle Tennessee Area you can call me and we will discuss your matter in detail and work together to determine your best possible defense. My office number is (615) 599-7719 or you can CLICK HERE to leave me a message through my website and I will return your message shortly.

During the holidays department stores such Kohl’s, Macy’s, Dillard’s and Best Buy, and shopping malls such as the CoolSprings Galleria, Stones River Mall, Opry Mills Mall and Green Hills Mall, will seriously increase their security beginning around Thanksgiving and Black Friday and ending sometime after Christmas or the New Year. Loss prevention officers, mall security and security guards will be added to the staff and will maximize their opportunities to catch people shoplifting and deter others from doing so. Using the latest technology available, such as digital security cameras and sometimes face recognition software, the employees of these stores stay in constant contact with the employees of other stores updating one another about suspicious people and suspicious activity. Local law enforcement will increase patrol in and around these stores and the retail community and are also in constant contact with mall security and loss prevention officers. These individuals work together as a team to catch shoplifters in the act and to prevent and deter any further increase in crime. Most shoplifters feel that they are somehow camouflaged by the increase in the number of shoppers and can thereby steal with anonymity and without detection. Actually, this is the most likely time that you would be detected if you were to attempt to engage in theft of merchandise from a store. If, however, you or a friend have been caught shoplifting please do not hesitate to contact me and we will work together to determine your best possible defense. For your free initial consultation please call (615) 599-7719 to speak with me or CLICK HERE to leave a message through this website, which I will return shortly.

Thank you for reading my Blog.

John M. Milazo

By John Milazo