Shoplifting as a criminal offence

The law in Canada considers shoplifting as a type of theft. There are two offences relating to theft – theft under $5,000 and theft over $5,000. Usually where shoplifting is concerned, the value of the items will be under $5,000.

Shoplifting is a common offence and can be committed by people from all walks of life. Perhaps you took something in a moment of weakness, or maybe you are going through a difficult period in your life. Even those who are normally law-abiding individuals may find themselves facing a charge of shoplifting. This can be embarrassing. Being questioned by the police, and having to attend court, will only add to the stress of the situation.

Being found guilty of shoplifting can have far-reaching consequences, affecting your ability to travel and gain employment. It can also have a negative impact for those who are not residents but wish to become permanent residents in the future.

Get trusted legal advice

If you have been accused of shoplifting the lawyers at Mickelson & Whysall are here to help. The lawyers at Mickelson & Whysall have the experience and professionalism to help navigate you through this situation – we attend court on your behalf and work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome.

Stores sometimes misinterpret the facts and wrongfully accuse people of shoplifting. If this has happened to you, we will work to prove your innocence and get the charges overturned.

We are able to secure excellent results even for clients who have admittedly committed the offence of theft.

If it is your first offence, or you have little interaction with the criminal justice system the lawyers at Mickelson & Whysall will seek to have our clients be considered for the Alternative Measures Program. Alternative Measures ensures the matter is kept out of court, there is no formal finding of guilt in court, and you do not have the stigma of a criminal record.

If Alternative Measures is determined to not be appropriate in your case, we can negotiate and enter into a plea bargain with the Crown Counsel, or make legal submissions to the Judge to obtain you a Conditional Discharge – meaning you avoid a criminal conviction.

When we take on a shoplifting case we can examine all the defences known to law to defend the charges at trial and will work hard to secure a not guilty verdict.

Vancouver shoplifting lawyers

Contact us to find out how we help you avoid a criminal record as a result of a shoplifting incident. In most cases, you will not have to attend court to face a shoplifting allegation. This protects your privacy and saves you the worry of appearing in front of a judge.