Theft, Embezzlement and Fraud

This is a very common issue. Often, if you miss multiple items at the self-checkout register, or if you miss item on multiple occasions, the store will suspect that you are stealing items intentionally, they will call the police, and you will be charged with either Shoplifting or Larceny. Just because you are charged, does not mean your case is over. We will review the evidence in your case, including statements provided to the store employees and police officers, and store surveillance footage, to determine whether the prosecutor has enough evidence to prove that you intended to steal items.

Not quite. Virginia law does state that issuing a check that is returned for insufficient funds is prima facie evidence that you knew that you had insufficient funds and wrote the check with fraudulent intent. Prima facie evidence is enough to charge someone, but usually is not enough to prove someone guilty. If you have a bad check case, you should discuss it with a lawyer right away to star identifying evidence that proves that you did no write the bad check while knowing you had insufficient funds,

Larceny criminalizes stealing in general, while shoplifting criminalizes certain acts like altering price tags, concealing merchandise, and transferring merchandise from one container into another container. This means that simply performing the “shoplifting” acts can lead to a charge. But, the prosecutor still needs to show that you were taking these actions with the intent to steal the merchandise.

In any case, especially theft, embezzlement, and fraud cases, the prosecution can try to prove intent by either direct evidence or circumstantial evidence. Direct evidence might include statements you gave to store employees or police officers. Circumstantial evidence might include evidence that you have engaged in the same behavior before or that you re-sold the stolen goods for profit.