Were you recently arrested for shoplifting? Petty or not, you are facing some serious criminal charges as an Indiana resident. However, with the right representation and knowledge, you can fight your shoplifting charges in order to avoid the maximum penalties typically handed down in court upon sentencing. Continue reading to learn what to expect in terms of being sentenced for shoplifting in Indiana, as well as, who to trust for aggressive criminal defense near you.

Indiana Shoplifting Crimes

Here in Indiana, the crime of shoplifting falls under the umbrella category of larceny, which is theft. In fact, there is not a separate crime specifically for shoplifting; it is simply charged as theft. In However, shoplifting is still appointed a definition, which is willfully taking and concealing merchandise that is for sale, and in turn, permanently depriving the owner of the merchandise by not paying the purchasing price. From minor shoplifting and burglary, to robbery, fraud, grand theft auto, embezzlement, and more, the list of possible types of theft crimes is virtually endless.

Theft Penalties

Unfortunately, theft is charged as a felony in our state. But when it comes to the crime of shoplifting, you can feel relief knowing that, because it is more on the minor side of theft offenses, shoplifters are often prosecuted for a lesser offense known as conversion, which is typically a Class A Misdemeanor. You see, while theft is considered an act of taking something that belongs to someone else with the intention of depriving them of that item forever, the act of conversion occurs when a person takes something from someone without permission, but with the intention of returning. This is referred to under law as criminal conversion, which is a less severe charge than theft. An example of criminal conversions would be if a person takes another person’s car without permission, but intends on returning it to the owner later on.

However, after being arrested for shoplifting, it is not guaranteed that you will be charged with conversion. That is because the overall monetary value of the items stolen will greatly affect your ultimate sentence. The higher the value, the more severe of a sentence you can expect. In Indiana, shoplifting (or theft) will get you anywhere from Class A Misdemeanor, all the way up to a Level 5 felony. The level of punishment for shoplifting depends on the total value of the items or goods stolen.

Here are the standard sentences for shoplifting in Indiana, which can be read in detail under Indiana Code §35-43-4-1 through §35-43-4-3:

Value Less than $750 = Class A Misdemeanor
Value Between $750 and $50,000 = Level 6 Felony
Value Greater Than $50,000 (or a Vehicle) = Level 5 Felony

Prosecutors in Indiana have the discretion of charging a defendant with something as low as an infraction, to something as high as a Level 5 felony. For instance, a teenager who steals a pack of gum from the gas station will likely get off with an infraction, while a habitual cat burglar will be handed down a severe sentence that likely includes jail time.

Your Best Option for Beating an Indiana Theft Charge

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 if you have been charged with shoplifting or theft in Indianapolis or anywhere else within Central Indiana. Our law firm offers aggressive and experienced criminal defense for anyone facing theft crimes in Indiana. Don’t settle for an attorney that doesn’t have the drive. Attorney David E. Lewis will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. We also offer criminal record expungement services to help clean up your criminal history and improve your quality of life!