Theft & Shoplifting Defense Services in Glendale, AZ
One Accusation Can Carry Lasting Personal and Professional Concerns
A theft or shoplifting allegation may begin with a store detention, a citation, a workplace or property dispute, or an accusation that intent was misunderstood. The criminal classification and available options can depend on the conduct alleged, type and value of property, prior history, and evidence.
Richard D. Coffinger accepts selected Arizona theft and shoplifting matters. Call with the exact statute, court, and paperwork to determine whether the allegation fits the practice.
Shoplifting Allegations
A.R.S. § 13-1805 describes several ways shoplifting may be alleged in a retail establishment, including removing goods without paying, unauthorized charging, paying less through an alleged trick or alteration, transferring goods between containers, or concealment—when done knowingly and with the intent specified by the statute.
The statute also addresses classification based on factors such as value, certain prior offenses, use of an artifice or device, a continuing criminal episode, and other circumstances. Do not rely on a general label such as “petty theft” without reading the actual charge.
Other Theft Allegations
A.R.S. § 13-1802 covers multiple forms of theft, not only physically taking an item. It includes, among other theories, controlling another’s property with intent to deprive, certain misuse of entrusted property or services, material misrepresentation, possession of property known or reasonably known to be stolen, and specified failures to pay for services.
Value affects classification under the statute, but value is not the only issue. The alleged mental state, authority, ownership, identification, records, and circumstances may also matter.
What Richard May Evaluate
- The precise conduct and intent alleged.
- Store video, receipts, point-of-sale data, inventory records, or witness statements where available.
- Identification and whether the evidence reliably connects the accused to the conduct.
- The type, ownership, condition, and alleged value of property.
- Whether property was entrusted, misdelivered, returned, paid for, or subject to a genuine dispute.
- Statements made to store personnel, police, an employer, or another party.
- Prior history and any allegation of a device, organized activity, or continuing episode.
An explanation must be supported by admissible evidence and law. Returning property or offering payment does not automatically end a criminal case, and a merchant’s decision is not necessarily the prosecution’s decision.
What Happens Next?
The complaint or citation should identify the court and next date. Depending on classification and procedure, the case may involve an arraignment, disclosure, conferences or hearings, motions, negotiation, trial, and possible sentencing if there is a conviction. Richard can explain the likely process after reviewing the exact charge and court.
Protect the Evidence and Avoid Making the Situation Worse
Keep the citation, receipts, messages, photographs, and other records. Do not alter documents, delete potentially relevant material, contact witnesses to influence their accounts, or post details online. If a retailer sends a civil demand, bring it to the consultation; do not assume that paying it resolves the criminal allegation.
Next Steps
Call to Discuss the Specific Allegation
Richard has practiced Arizona criminal law since 1972. The initial telephone consultation is free and can help determine whether the case is within his current practice.
What You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shoplifting Require Leaving the Store?
Arizona’s shoplifting statute describes several forms of conduct inside an establishment and does not make exit from the store the only possible theory. The State must still prove the elements of the charged subsection, including the required intent.