San Antonio Shoplifting Lawyer

Charged with shoplifting in San Antonio? Call (210) 228-9393 for Proven Defense!

If you have been accused of shoplifting, you should know that the potential penalties can be quite serious, including steep fines and even jail time. As a shoplifting charge is a serious criminal matter, you should immediately contact the Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski for legal counsel. My experience includes time as a prosecutor for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, a magistrate judge appointed by Bexar County district courts, and now nearly a decade serving as a criminal defense attorney in San Antonio. This background means I can offer you comprehensive, knowledgeable legal representation on any matter—large or small.

Criminal Penalties for Shoplifting in San Antonio

Shoplifting crimes can include taking merchandise from a retailer without paying, removing or altering price tags to avoid paying full price or writing bad checks for goods or services. The consequences for these crimes increase proportionally to the value of the items stolen.

Here are the penalties for the different levels of shoplifting, based on property values:

  • Less than $50 – Fines up to $500
  • Between $50 and $500 – Fines up to $2,000 and/or jail time up to 180 days
  • Between $500 and $1,500 – Fines up to $4,000 and/or jail time up to one year
  • Between $1,500 and $20,000, or a firearm – Fines up to $10,000 and/or prison time up to two years
  • Between $20,000 and $100,000 – Fines up to $10,000 and/or prison time up to 10 years
  • Between $100,000 and $200,000 – Fines up to $10,000 and/or prison time up to 20 years
  • More than $200,000 – Fines up to $10,000 and/or prison time up to 99 years

If an offender has previous theft convictions on his or her record, the penalties will be increased, regardless of the value of the goods or services stolen.

Experienced Shoplifting Defense Attorney in San Antonio

A qualified, skilled lawyer can evaluate your shoplifting case and identify the most effective strategy for your case. You may be eligible to pursue a pretrial diversion program if this is your first offense.

If not, it may be possible to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor in exchange for reduced charges or sentencing. My actions could make a significant difference in the final outcome of your case. I want to help you put this experience behind you and move on with your life.