Nashville Shoplifting Attorney
Tenacious Defense Against Shoplifting Charges in Brentwood, Mount Juliet & Franklin
Department stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, Nordstrom, and The Green Wagon are becoming increasingly aggressive about prosecuting shoplifters. Depending on the value of the item you are accused of taking, you could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony theft crime.
At May McKinney, our shoplifting lawyers in Nashville offer a confidential consultation to discuss your options following a shoplifting arrest. We work diligently to combat the charges against our clients and protect their reputations. We defend juveniles who are caught stealing, as well as adults who are accused of retail theft.
Call May & McKinney, PLLC today at (615) 265-6383 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our shoplifting attorney in Nashville!
What is Shoplifting?
Shoplifting occurs when an individual unlawfully takes merchandise or property from a retail establishment with the intent to deprive the owner of that property permanently. This offense encompasses a range of activities, from concealing items in pockets or bags to altering price tags or swapping packaging.
In Tennessee, shoplifting is classified based on the retail value of the stolen items:
- Petty Theft: Taking items with a retail value of $500 or less is considered petty theft, a misdemeanor. Petty theft convictions may result in fines, probation, and other penalties.
- Grand Theft: Taking items with a retail value of more than $500 is classified as grand theft, a felony. Grand theft convictions carry more severe consequences, including the possibility of fines, restitution, probation, and incarceration.
Shoplifting can take various forms, including:
- Concealment: Hiding merchandise with the intent to steal.
- Altering Price Tags: Changing or removing price tags to pay less than the item's value.
- Switching Packaging: Placing high-value items in cheaper packaging to pay less at the register.
- Employee Theft: Employees unlawfully take merchandise or provide unauthorized discounts.
Understanding the classification of shoplifting offenses in Tennessee is crucial, as it directly impacts an individual's potential legal consequences.
What are the Penalties for Shoplifting in Tennessee?
Being convicted of shoplifting in Tennessee can lead to significant legal consequences. Penalties vary based on different factors, such as the value of the stolen property and the individual's criminal history. At May & McKinney, PLLC, we strive to minimize the impact of these penalties through a comprehensive defense strategy. The potential penalties for shoplifting in Tennessee include:
- Misdemeanor or Felony Charges: Shoplifting charges, depending on the value of the stolen property, can range from misdemeanors to felonies.
- Fines: Convicted individuals may face fines determined by the value of the stolen items.
- Restitution: Offenders may be required to compensate the retailer for the stolen merchandise.
- Probation: Individuals may be placed on probation, requiring adherence to specific conditions.
- Jail or Prison Time: Serious shoplifting offenses can result in incarceration, ranging from days to years.
Our Clients Say It Best
Read Our Client Testimonials
At May McKinney, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"Rob McKinney in an amazing attorney he will always be my first choice!"I seriously can’t give this guy enough credit! I’ve made a few bad choices in my lifetime before I got it together and I’ve had rob mckinney represent me for most of it. No doubt at all that he’s the best man for the job. He’s got me the best possible outcome and always went above and beyond for me every step of the way. Rob is such a genuine person and truly cares! If you’re looking for a great lawyer look no further mr. McKinney is your guy!- Josh woods
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"Forever Grateful"I want to personally thank Mr. Rob and Ms. Shyanne for everything they have done for me that took me to the resolution of being able to go on with my life. I’m forever blessed to have met them and had them in my life at a very rough time. Thank you.- K.
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""Best Lawyer In the world will not quit .""Best lawyer have known will not quit will fight all the way!- Marvin Johnson
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"Best criminal lawyer in Nashville."I have met with Mr. McKinney during a very difficult time. I was welcomed with open arms. Aside from being the best lawyer, he is a very caring person. He accomplished the impossible in my case. He worked relentlessly and brought my charges down from a serious felony to a misdemeanor. Which is unheard of from what I understand. I would have faced deportation but with his expertise and commitment to my case now I can become a citizen. Rob McKinney and his team gave me a second chance in life! For that I am forever grateful.- Pinar James
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"The Only Choice for the Best Results"The case came during my senior year of college. It was the scariest moment of my entire life. I felt my career was over before it even started. I chose McKinney Law Firm because they are the Best of the Best. To have a prepared and knowledgeable defense, in a room where you feel guilty until proven innocent, is invaluable. Roger T. May's no non-sense approach was deliberate and strategic. The results of the case were better than I could have ever imagined. After the case was over, I went on to land a lucrative job, travel the world, and have had a very successful career. I truly believe McKinney Law Firm gave me a second chance at life. I am forever grateful for the team's care, urgency, persistence, and professionalism during a very difficult time. "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good." Thank you.- -Satisfied Client
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"Simply Awesome"
I appreciate absolutely everything that you and your team have done for me. I could not have made a better decision than to have your representation during this horrific time in my life. Along the way, I feel like I was educated about the process and felt at ease with every step. The due diligence that was done on your behalf was top tier and goes without saying, simply awesome! The only regret I have is not coming to your first. You have my full support of referrals to anyone I hear that needs a great defense team in their corner, because I sure did! Again, Thank you!
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"Incredibly helpful"This was my first experience ever being accused of a crime and I was very nervous and scared. Rob and his staff were incredibly helpful, answering all of my questions and putting my mind at ease throughout the process. In the end, we were able to get everything dismissed successfully. Although in the grand scheme, my case was a relatively minor one, Rob always was there to help and it was clear that his knowledge and experience would be hard to find anywhere else. I would absolutely recommend Rob and his team to anyone looking for a defense attorney.- SA
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"Repeat offender facing time"When I got I hemmed up in Gallatin and caught two charges, I was told I was facing 180 days plus an extra 180-365 days serving time. I told my folks I was tired of taking chances with amateurs when It came to a legal defense lawyer. I initially called Frank Lannom's office, but they regrettably informed they did not practice in Sumner but they knew who did that was just as good and experienced. They gaveme the number to Mr. McKinneys office here. I called them up and Ms Savannah Edmonds met with me that day on a zoom meeting. I gave a very professional summarization of my charges , sentance they carried, as well as the exact figure they would charge. She even called me back to correct herself on something she said wrong. I thought that was exceptionally professional. Needless to say I knew May and McKinney were the lawyers I want defending me. It's easy to make back money. You can't get your time back. Anyway today was the first day of court with my Lawyer. And my first offer was "both charges dismissed" . Now you can't get much better than that. If you want to save money, take the amateurs and risk loosing your life, your name, your integrity or hire the professionals of May and McKinney and get results. Remember "you get what ya pay for" and with May and Mckinney it's well worth every penny !- Robert F.
