Buffalo Criminal Defense Attorney Discusses Being Caught Shoplifting

If you’ve been charged with shoplifting, read this article where our Buffalo criminal defense attorney discusses being caught shoplifting.

Question:

I was caught shoplifting an amount of $100+ at the university store 3 years ago. The police came to the store and gave me a campus appearance ticket, a persona non grata, and a ticket to appear in court. The campus ticket was resolved (community service). However, I never received anything in the mail about appearing in court, and my judicial officer at school told me that the incident would stay within the school disciplinary system.
Now, as I apply to law school, I have found that the incident is on my permanent record, available on a background check as a police report. Is it possible I missed my court date/ have gotten a bench warrant? (Additionally, I spent last year abroad for 1 year– could I have gotten the visa approved with a bench warrant?)

Answer:

I have advised clients as a Buffalo Criminal Defense Attorney that if you received an appearance ticket it requires you to appear in court on the date of the ticket. Failure to appear usually results in a bench warrant. I would advise that you call the local court and arrange to appear on the day when the Assistant District Attorney is present and you may be able to resolve it all at one appearance.

If you have been charged with shoplifting and are looking for dedicated legal help, contact our experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys to fight for you.

This legal question was provided by a Avvo and answered by Arthur Pressman an experienced Buffalo Criminal Defense Attorney.  This does not consent an attorney client relationship.

Arthur L. Pressman, Esq. Avatar

Arthur L. Pressman, Esq.

Attorney Miami School of Law, National College for DUI Defense, New York State Bar

Arthur Pressman focuses his practice in the areas of DWI, traffic law and criminal defense. Arthur is a 1982 graduate of the State University of New York at Albany. He earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1985 and practiced with the law firm of Heller & Rubin in Miami, Florida from 1986 to 1988. In 1988, Arthur relocated to Buffalo, where he opened his own practice where he has continued to defend those accused of crimes in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York area.

Areas of Expertise: DWI Penalties, Traffic Violations, Speeding Tickets, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Driving Without Insurance, Reckless Driving, Traffic Tickets, Out-of-State Drivers, Criminal Defense, Probation Violation, Drug Crimes, Domestic Violence, Assault and Battery

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