Legal Question in Criminal Law in Alabama

Re: Shoplifting

WalMart prosecutes these things very seriously. The restitution will be split between the two of you. However, there is no restitution if they got the items back. WalMart will also have an attorney pursue you for $200 which is allowable under Alabama law. I can not tell you that everyone pays this. But you will have the felony on your record unless you are able to get an attorney who can get the charges reduced.

Re: Shoplifting

You need to retain an attorney to represent you right away. While this may be your first time in trouble, it is still a felony charge and it must be taken seriously.

Under Alabama law, you and your friend are being treated as accomplices in the same crime. As a result, you are both charged with the full value of the property. That does not mean that WalMart can collect the restitution twice, but it does mean that you are equally liable for it.

If you have never been in trouble before, then at your age you are still eligible to apply for youthful offender status. As a youthful offender, the records related to this case would be sealed, and you would not have a felony conviction. It is similar to the way that juvenile records are protected, but this is done through the circuit court as a way to give a second chance to people aged 18 to 20 who screw up.

Our office handles criminal defense cases. If you would like to discuss your case with us, please feel free to give me a call tomorrow. You can also use this site to contact me via email, or visit my website at www.williampfeifer.com to contact me online.

Good luck to you. If we can be of assistance, please let us know.