In Virginia, shoplifting can mean different things — stealing something and leaving a store, altering a price tag, not paying the full purchase price, concealing an item while in a store, transferring goods from one container to another, or assisting someone else in doing one of these actions. Like with other larceny and theft matters, the severity of a shoplifting charge will depend on the value assigned to the items in question. In Virginia, petit larceny is charged when allegedly stolen goods are worth less than $200, and grand larceny is charged when the value is higher than $200.

If you or your child has been charged with shoplifting, you are probably worried about the potential consequences. Though the allegedly stolen item may have little monetary value, any shoplifting conviction can result in a criminal record that may impact job prospects, cause deportation, and affect college applications and other important future endeavors.

This may be your first such experience with the law, and you may have been given confusing, conflicting or incorrect information about what will happen next. Store security personnel, police, friends and family are not appropriate sources for legal advice. If you are unsure about how to resolve the situation with as little damage as possible, you should consult an experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows the law and who knows exactly how northern Virginia courts work.