I got Caught Shoplifting. What can I do to get it off my Record?
First of all, if you’re simply charged or alleged to have shoplifted it is not on your record yet necessarily. In the United States you are presumed innocent until you’re found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. So you certainly have a chance to have your day in court and see if the Commonwealth can prove that you indeed are guilty of shoplifting. It’s your constitutional right.
Second, this is a great time to talk with an experienced Virginia shoplifting defense lawyer to see about the facts of your case, possible defenses you might have, and what we might can do about the charge. If you haven’t actually gone to court at all now is the time to hire good legal representation to defend your future.
If you’ve been found guilty already, then it is likely that the shoplifting conviction is on your record at this point. Unfortunately, in Virginia as the law stands right now there is no way to expunge an actual conviction in Virginia. If you’ve been found guilty of shoplifting there is no way to get it off the record. Unfortunately, it is going to stick there. The only option that you do have would be consider applying for a simple pardon from the Governor, but that doesn’t actually remove it from the record; it’s basically what’s referred to as a simple letter of forgiveness from the Commonwealth.
This is why it is critically important that if you’re actually charged right now and have a pending shoplifting case you need to talk with an experienced lawyer to see about getting the case dismissed in court or perhaps reduced to an alternate offense. Give me a call today to talk about your case and how I can hopefully help you defend your future and protect your record.
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