Although the holidays are usually a time for bringing joy to the home with gifts and family gatherings, sometimes the season activities can result in a night or two behind bars.
There are several ways to find yourself in trouble with the law during the holidays, however, one of the most common crimes that comes with a myriad of legal consequences is shoplifting.
Here’s a closer look at how the state handles shoplifting and why you should seek a bail bond to potentially start clearing up your charges.
What Does Texas Define as Shoplifting?
In Texas, shoplifting is one of the most common offenses in Dallas-Fort Worth. According to the law, shoplifting is considered to be theft with the intent of unlawfully taking a commercial location’s property.
However, since a shoplifting offense is completely based on the intent of the person who shoplifted, these cases can hit a legal gray area as the prosecution strives to prove the defendant’s intent to steal.
What If You’re Arrested?
Since shoplifting isn’t always the most clean-cut charge, getting arrested for shoplifting can lead to a lengthy legal experience. From long booking processes to penalties that can range from fines to nearly 100 years in jail, there are several different outcomes that can occur depending on the defendant’s situation and ability to prepare a solid defense case with a criminal defense lawyer.
Extensive Booking Process? A Bail Bond Can Help!
Once you’ve been arrested for shoplifting, the police take you in for the booking process. Not only can interrogations and fingerprints take a while, but you don’t even find out right away if you’re free to go or about to spend some time in jail.
The police still have to meet with a judge and determine what the final outcome of the situation will be. Depending on the severity of your shoplifting crime, there could be a range of penalties you face that include jail time.
If you do end up behind bars until your actual court hearing, remember, a bail bond agent can help you get out of jail fast and start organizing your case for the courts. After all, there are still some defenses at your disposal if you really want to clear your name.
Are There Any Defenses to the Charge?
While you may have actually shoplifted and may face jail time, not everyone charged for shoplifting is guilty.
Some of the biggest defenses a lawyer can help you with once you are out of a holding cell include:
- The clerk may have miss-scanned an item and placed it in your bag
- You actually paid for the item but the scanner was malfunctioning at the time of purchase
- You actually left the item somewhere in the store before getting caught and accused of shoplifting
- The item in question is actually your property.
Caught Red Handed This Shopping Season? Big Bubba can Help!
If you or a loved one were recently arrested for shoplifting in Arlington, Big Bubba’s Bail Bonds can help. We understand that everyone makes mistakes, and that jail time can prevent one from prepping for a court hearing that, if successful, could get their life back on track.
Don’t spend a night in jail after receiving a shoplifting charge. Contact Big Bubba’s Bail Bonds today to start the bail process.
