Beyond Arrest & Conviction: Career Shoplifting Consequences

The immediate impact of a shoplifting arrest in New York City or elsewhere in the State of New York is clear. You have been printed. There is a record of your arrest. Police have your mug shot. You might have been issued a Desk Appearance Ticket. Maybe after your arrest the police took you to Central Booking where you waited for hours to see a judge. Maybe you missed work or panicked family members are looking for you. Obviously, all of these things likely were or currently are a collateral consequence of your shoplifting arrest for NY PL 155.25 or NY PL 165.40. Sadly, as an experienced criminal attorney can tell you, the consequences of a shoplifting arrest in New York for these crimes or the felony offenses of NY PL 155.30 and NY PL 165.45 extend well beyond the walls of the criminal court. In fact, the New York criminal lawyers and former Manhattan prosecutors at Saland Law have spent significant time discussing and conferencing with professional clients – teachers, lawyers, doctors, etc. – the consequences of a misdemeanor or felony arrest beyond those that are readily apparent.

• Misdemeanor Shoplifting & New York Penal Law 155.25
• Misdemeanor Shoplifting & New York Penal Law 165.40
• Felony Shoplifting & New York Penal Law 155.30 or 155.35

While prosecutors will likely not reach out to your employer, there are many means or manners in which employers may still learn of your alleged larceny and theft. For example, protections in the “system” are set up whereby a New York City teacher may not only have to inform the Department of Education (DOE) of an arrest for Petit Larceny or Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, but one government agency (the “courts”) may notify another (the “DOE”) as a matter of procedure. Will you be suspended? Should you explain what happened? If so, can this jeopardize your criminal case as well as your career? Have you discussed this with you criminal lawyer? Beyond public school teachers, other professionals and workers employed by state and federal agencies may face similar problems.

Private sector employees are not immune from career consequences associated with Petit Larceny and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property arrests that involve shoplifting. For example, do you have any licenses or certifications? Will FINRA be notified of your arrest or must you notify them? As a physician or lawyer in private practice, must you inform your employer or the State of New York? What will happen to these licenses or certifications? Beyond your current job, when you apply for a new job or file to renew a license or certification, how will you answer the questions about criminal history? Must you state that you were arrested? What if you were convicted of a violation, but not a crime? While not a resource that will tell you how you should answer these questions, the New York State Office of the Professions has many applications utilized by all sorts of professionals when applying for various positions, licenses and certifications. This resource may be a guide that is valuable to reference in your conversations with your criminal lawyer about your shoplifting arrest in New York.

• Ramifications to Shoplifting Arrests: Foreign Nationals & Immigration
• Fraud & Theft Convictions: FINRA, Form U4 & FDIC Consequences

The bottom line that anyone arrested for shoplifting in New York – Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, White Plains, Westchester County – must recognize is that there are countless ramifications beyond being jailed for a few hours. Before accepting a plea offer to a Disorderly Conduct or any misdemeanor, vet not only the likelihood of beating the case on factual, legal or procedural grounds, but how you can mitigate your conduct as to avoid as many consequences to your career and future as possible. Remember, once you have pleaded guilty, turning back the clock is nearly impossible.

• Shoplifting Arrests & the Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD)
• Potential Offers for First Time Shoplifting Arrests in New York City

To learn more about New York shoplifting crimes and collateral consequences of a NY PL 155.25 or NY PL 165.40 arrest, please review both this website as well as CrottySaland.Com. In addition to these resources, the NewYorkCriminalLawyerBlog.Com and the NewYorkTheftAndLarcenyLawyersBlog.Com have a significant amount of information including analysis of statutes, legal decisions and cases in the media. Before you compromise your career and future, educate yourself on New York’s theft laws.

Call the Manhattan & NYC Petit Larceny Lawyers at Saland Law at 212.312.7129 or Contact Us Online to Start Your Criminal Defense Now