A recently released crime report by the City of St. Petersburg reveals an increase in theft related offenses. The St. Petersburg Times likewise reported that although auto thefts were down in 2008 by a significant 36%, larceny offenses increased by 6%. Many observers attribute the increased arrests for such offenses as robbery, burglary and theft related offenses to the sagging economy and the ever increasing unemployment numbers. Across the bay, the Tampa Police Department also reported a 9% increase in theft related offenses. See: Recession Fuels Bull Market for Shoplifting
These increased arrest numbers are consistent with nationwide statistics recently published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that reveal an overall rise in the number of arrests for shoplifting offenses over the past two years. The Retail Industry Leaders Association directly attributes the current increase in shoplifting, fraud and theft offenses to the poor economy. The association surveyed 52 major retailers across the country. A whopping 84% of those retailers surveyed, reported a clear increase in theft related offenses. Likewise, an online survey recently conducted by Retail Systems Research (RSR) revealed that Employee theft of goods and cash are currently top retailer concerns.
All of these findings are consistent with the number of new clients arriving at our St. Petersburg law office facing recent Pinellas County arrests for theft related offenses. Charges by the Pinellas County State Attorneys Office are not limited to misdemeanor retail theft offenses... which are often elevated to felony Grand Theft offenses if the property taken exceeds $300.00. Rather, clients are also arriving in increased numbers seeking help for Felony Grand Theft charges arising out of employee theft allegations. Sometimes the client’s problems are escalated when the amount of cash taken escalates the offense to a felony level, or the stolen property is later pawned. This later conduct often results in an additional charge of Dealing in Stolen Property.
With the current recession, both retailers and employers have stepped up their efforts at detecting and reporting retail and employee thefts to local law enforcement. Theft related offenses carry burdensome consequences. If a conviction occurs for a Grand Theft or Dealing in Stolen Property offense, the accused becomes a convicted felon. Even if the theft is categorized as a misdemeanor, (such as a retail theft of goods valued under $300.00), a conviction still carries significant employment and licensing ramifications. The underlying reason is that although the theft offense may not be a felony, it is still deemed a crime involving untruthfulness or dishonesty.
If you have been arrested for a theft related offense in the St. Petersburg /Clearwater area it is important to immediately get help from an experienced criminal defense attorney. A theft related conviction could haunt you for the rest of your life. This is the day and age of easy access to your arrest data over the Internet. Your momentary lapse of good judgment is but only a few keystrokes away from being uncovered by a potential employer. An experienced lawyer can talk to you about avoiding a formal conviction through a withholding of adjudication or even programs designed to have the charge dismissed. Better still, in many cases, Florida law may permit the entire arrest and prosecution to be sealed or expunged.
If you have been arrested for a theft related offense in St. Petersburg / Clearwater or other area within Pinellas County, the Law office of Russo & Russo can help. Call us at: (727)578-0303 for a free consultation.
Comments