The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP) believes that as many as 27 million people including men and women of all age groups and all socioeconomic levels engage in shoplifting. This retail theft costs retail stores alone as much as $35 million a day in losses; that is $13 billion a year.
Shoplifting is a common crime, yet many people do not understand just how destructive it can be for them and to society. The NASP explains: “It overburdens law enforcement and the courts, adds to businesses security expenses, pushes up the price of goods to consumers, and amounts to lost sales taxes for communities.” Additionally it hurts children and families due to the penalties for those convicted of shoplifting which can be fines, imprisonment, restitution, community service, loss of employment, a criminal record which can prohibit obtaining certain professional licenses, and future lost job and educational opportunities.
So with such serious consequences, why do people shoplift? According to NASP people shoplift for a variety of reasons, and many of these people can be helped. The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft & Spending breaks down shoplifters into several categories;
- Addictive-Compulsive Shoplifters – 75%, compounding emotional issues
- Professionals – 5%, these people steal for profit
- Impoverished – 5%, the impoverished usually steal necessities like food, children’s clothing, diapers, toiletries
- Thrill Seekers – 5%, this group often steals in groups and is represented by many teenagers
- Drug & Gambling Addicts -5%, steals to pay for their habit
- Kleptomaniacs – 5%, steal for no particular reason
- Absent Minded -1%, elderly people, people in a hurry, people with memory issues
East Point & Vinings Shoplifting Attorney Protecting Your Future
If you or a family member has been charged with shoplifting, you should consult with a criminal defense attorney immediately so your rights can be protected and you can receive the legal help you will need to defend against the charges in order to get the best possible outcome. Your criminal defense attorney can explain the consequences you are facing and what he can do to help you.
An Atlanta criminal defense attorney like Joel Baskin has many years of experience helping clients charged with shoplifting in all of metro Atlanta including Cobb & Fulton counties. Depending on the circumstances of each specific shoplifting case it may be possible to get charges dropped, reduced, sealed, or expunged. Everyone makes mistakes at some time in their lives and if you made a bad choice, or unwise decision which resulted in being charged with a criminal offense such as shoplifting, you can depend on a criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and make sure you receive fair treatment.
Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorney Helping Those Charged with Shoplifting
Contact Joel Baskin, an experienced East Point & Vinings criminal defense attorney who is ready to defend you against criminal charges such as shoplifting or other types of criminal defense cases such as DUI and traffic cases.