Milwaukee Shoplifting Defense Lawyers

Shoplifting is the act of carrying merchandise out of a store without paying for it, or altering the price stated on the item to pay a smaller amount. The state of Wisconsin takes this crime very seriously and the penalties can be very harsh, even for small amounts of merchandise.

Penalties for Shoplifting

The penalties for shoplifting vary depending on the amount of goods that were allegedly stolen. At the offices of Milwaukee criminal defense attorneys Kohler & Hart, we are prepared to defend clients accused of every level of shoplifting:

• Less than $2,500: This is considered a misdemeanor. It is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or nine months in jail.
• $2,500 - $5,000: Shoplifting goods worth this amount or more is considered a felony. At this level, the penalty is a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 3.5 years in jail.
• $5,000 - $10,000: This can be punished by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 6 years.
• $10,000 or more: This is the highest level of shoplifting charges. It can be punished by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison.

Social Repercussions of Shoplifting

In addition to criminal penalties, having a shoplifting conviction on your record can:

• Damage your reputation
• Affect future job prospects
• Limit your ability to take out loans, rent apartments, etc

If you have been accused of shoplifting, you will want to contact an experienced Milwaukee criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. You do not want this conviction on your record if you can avoid it.

Contact Us

To contact a knowledgeable shoplifting defense lawyer in Milwaukee, contact the offices of Kohler & Hart at 888-565-7597 to schedule your initial consultation.