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Freedom is fragile — so fight for your legal rights!

Nineteen years in prison for a stolen loaf of bread!  Les Miserable is the classic tale of justice run amuck.

The struggles of Jean Valjean to rebuild his life after rotting in prison for so long remind us that life is often unfair.

Honesty is a pillar of society, but so is a fair justice system.

We celebrate freedom  and justice for all on the 4th of July.  Or so we claim!  What does it mean to be just? 

A simple definition on http://dictionary.com says that being just means — guided by truth, reason, justice, and fairness! 

Like Javert in Les Miserable , we sometimes encounter  laws or a law enforcement official with an overblown sense of justice.

Think of Andy Griffith’s side-kick,  Barney Fife. Andy was forever reigning him in and bringing common sense (reason) to the law.

Andy’s wit and humor balance out Barney’s impulsiveness, and, dare we say,  lack of a fully-developed sense of a justice? We’re all a bit relieved that Andy, not Barney, is the Sheriff of Mayberry, USA.

Let’s talk about some petty theft laws on the books that could get you in serious trouble in the state of Missouri — if applied without a well-balanced sense of justice.

Say your eighteen year old son has a buddy. For some unknown reason, they decide together that stealing the neighbor’s  U.S. flag out of their yard is a great feat of daring!

The only problem? Your neighbor has been in a property line dispute with you for years. Not that your son has paid too much attention. He was just “sowing a little harmless wild oats” that night,  right on candid camera.

Yes, indeed! In this high-tech era, your neighbor caught both boys in the act.  The situation escalates.  No second chances for your son. Your neighbor is determined to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

You are horrifed to find out that your son, with his whole life before him — and no criminal record– is faced with a Class C felony for a petty theft. What was a simple act of foolishness has turned into a life-shattering nightmare!

Yep!  Somewhere along the way, someone decided that flag-stealing was a crime punishable by possibly at least a year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 dollars.

You hope and pray that the judge that day will be guided by truth, reason, justice, and fairness.  That’s what our United States flag is supposed to stand for, after all!

Maybe you or a family member are facing a petty theft charge that has the power to turn your life completely upside down.  You need the legal services of an experienced criminal defense attorney who is committed to justice!

The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC will give you a free initial consultation. You will receive a fair evaluation of your case.  As a meticulous, aggressive criminal defense lawyer, Nathan A. Steimel will fight for your freedoms in court.  Call (636)244-3737 to schedule your free consultation

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

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Caught shoplifting in Missouri? { 3 reasons you need a criminal defense attorney’s help}

You’re not sure what possessed you at that moment!

In the blink of an eye, you tried on those new workboots you thought you needed at your favorite department store.  You even looked around and thought no one saw you.  Tucking your old shoes under the rack, you just decided to leave with the new boots on your feet.

What you didn’t notice was the store’s security surveillance cameras.  Before you could even get to the front of the store, there was a hand on your elbow and a voice in your ear. “Sir, you need to come with me.”

Your heart sank when turned around and saw store’s assistant manager standing at your side. Fortunately you decided  it was better to go quietly than to make a big fuss.

At least your petty crime  wasn’t plastered on social media or front page news. No one else saw you slink back to the store’s office  to wait for the police to arrive.

You’d never dealt with the law before.  However, it wasn’t the officer-on-call’s first trip to that store on that day.   Both the store’s manager and the officer who arrived were tired of having to deal with petty theft.  So they decided enough was enough!

Even though you tried to explain your situation — out of work for three months, and really needing these workboots for the new job — neither party was in the mood to deal.  They were ready to throw those boots straight at your dumb head!

While the story above is purely fiction, you may find yourself in these same “boots”.  Even if you’re a first-time shoplifting offender, you’re going to need a good criminal defense attorney. 

Here are 3 reasons you should really listen up:

1.) In the state of Missouri,  if you receive the maximum penalty for petty theft/shoplifting (under $500), you could lose a year of your life to jail-time. Add a $1000 fine to that pile of misery!

Ever wondered what goes on inside the four walls of a prison?  If you’re at all like me, you like the comforts of your own home, your own bed, and most especially your own choice of food.  I’m preeetty sure I’d get sick of prison food in no time flat.

What’s a year of your life worth to you? Your job? Your annual income? Your reputation? Gone!  No workboots on earth are worth that price. Without a job, how are you going to pay off that fine?

2.) In addition, shops can sue for restitution and damages.

You could receive a “civil demand letter”. In addition to the fines imposed by the court, you would have to pay an additional amount to the store you stole from, above and beyond the price of the item you stole.

3.) If you are a first-time offender, your criminal defense lawyer can work aggressively to get a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS).

What SIS means for you is no permanent criminal record for shoplifting. If theft is on your record, it can hinder you from getting a job, renting an apartment, or even getting federal loans.   However, you do have to stay “squeaky clean” and complete your probation period.

Don’t face petty theft charges in court alone!

Not only could you end up with a criminal record and a fine, you could lose months of your life in jail.

If you or a loved one is facing shoplifting or petty theft charges , you  need a meticulous, agressive criminal defense attorney defending you in court. 

Call The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC today for a free initial consultation. (636)244-3737

http://steimel-law.com/criminal-defense.html

 

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.