Top San Elizario, TX Shoplifting Lawyers Near You

Have You Been Charged with Shoplifting?

If you have been charged with shoplifting, you will have the option to hire an attorney or have one appointed to you. Hiring a skilled shoplifting attorney can help protect your rights before and during trial.

Types of Shoplifting

Shoplifting can fall under the crime of theft, which is defined as the taking of a person’s property without consent and with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it. Shoplifting, is more specifically the theft of goods from a retail establishment. Shoplifting can be physically removing an item from a store without paying, price switching, refund fraud, returning clothes after they have been worn, and even eating food in a supermarket as you shop that you do not pay for. Depending upon the specifics of your case a San Elizarioshoplifting attorney can help explain to you the charges against you and the various possible defenses to your case.

Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney

• How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
• How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
• What is the likely outcome for my case?

In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.

What to Expect from an Initial Consultation

• Seek to determine whether the attorney can represent you. There is no one-size-fits-all legal solution and it may turn out your needs are better served by an attorney in a different specialization.
• It’s important to find a legal ally who is both competent in the law and someone you can trust to protect your interests.
• Discuss how the practice’s billing works and discuss possible additional charges or fees that may arise during or after the resolution of your case.

An attorney consultation should provide you with enough information so that you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with legal help.

Does firm size matter?

For most consumer legal issues, the size of the practice is much less important than the experience, competence, and reputation of the attorney(s) handling your case. Among the most important factors when choosing an attorney are your comfort level with the attorney or practice and the attorney’s track record in bringing about quick, successful resolutions to cases similar to yours.

Common legal terms explained

Plaintiff – a person or party who brings a lawsuit against another person(s) or party/parties in a court of law. Private persons or parties can only file suit in civil court.

Judgment – A decision of the court. Also known as a decree or order. Judgments handed down by the court are usually binding on the parties before the court.