Hollywood Star Sentenced for Shoplifting

In December 2001, Oscar-nominated actress Winona Ryder was arrested for stealing more than $5,500 worth of merchandise from the Beverly Hills Saks Fifth Avenue store. A jury of six men and two women took two days of deliberation before convicting Ryder of felony grand theft and vandalism. Ryder was subsequently ordered to carry out 480 hours of community service for a period of three months at a variety of community organizations that specialized in the treatment and prevention of serious diseases. In addition, Ryder was ordered to pay several fines, attend counseling and three years probation.

Shoplifting involves stealing property from a business and can be charged as either petty theft or grand theft depending on the value of the property stolen. If the property value is below $400, it is charged as petty theft which is a misdemeanor offense. If the property value is above $400, it is charged as grand theft and is a felony offense.

Shoplifting is a theft crime that is commonly committed by young people who have succumbed to peer pressure. A conviction will affect either you or your child's life permanently, resulting in applications for homes, colleges and employment being turned away or denied. A momentary slip in judgment can bring about heavy fines, restitution, community service, jail time and probation. Not only will employment and educational pursuits be affected, but even personal or romantic relationships. People will have access to your criminal record and you will be asked to explain your criminal history. Unfortunately, criminal records aren't like bankruptcy, they don't fall off after ten years, they are permanent.

If you or someone you care about has been charged with shoplifting in Irvine or the surrounding areas, a Irvine shoplifting defense attorney at Apkarian and Zalewski can help. There are alternatives to jail that can be pursued such as restitution and community service, or it may be necessary to prove that the event was in fact unintentional or a legitimate accident, in which case the charges can be reduced or dropped. Regardless of the causes, having a skilled Irvine shoplifting defense attorney on your side can prove to be priceless in the end.

Contact a Irvine Shoplifting Defense Lawyer at our office today for a free consultation.