Have You Been Charged with Removal, Larceny, or Abandonment of Shopping Carts in Georgia?
Theft crimes cover a multitude of offenses including removing, stealing, or abandoning shopping carts in Georgia. Even though it may seem like a minor thing, if convicted, you will be guilty of a misdemeanor. If you have been charged, you need a Georgia Removal, Larceny, or Abandonment of Shopping Cart Lawyer in Georgia now.
O.C.G.A. §16-8-21
A person will be guilty of violating this statute when they remove a shopping cart from the premises without the consent of the owner. Another way they can violate the statute is by abandoning a shopping cart on public streets, sidewalks or parking lots other than the premises of the owner.
Penalty for Removing, Stealing, or Abandoning Shopping Carts in Georgia
The penalty for removal, larceny, or abandonment of shopping carts in Georgia is a misdemeanor conviction. In Georgia, misdemeanor convictions come with a sentence of up to one in jail or up to $1,000 in fines, or both.
Georgia Defenses to Removing, Stealing, or Abandoning Shopping Carts
It was in the same parking lot: If you left the cart in an area that was included in the owner's property, then no crime has occurred.
I had consent from the owner: Consent from the owner to leave the shopping cart in an area not owned by them would be a sufficient defense.
Mistaken identity: If you were not the person that left the cart, then you need a Georgia Shopping Cart Lawyer to help with your defense. Police officers make mistakes and you may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
What are Not Defenses
It was an accident: The statute does not require the leaving be intentional. It simply requires that a cart left the premises without the owner's consent. Therefore, you can still be guilty of violating the statute even if it was by mistake.
I thought it was the same property: Once again, the court will not look at your intentions behind the offense. Even if you thought the cart was still on the owner's property but it wasn't, you have violated O.C.G.A. §16-8-21.
I had to park far away so I thought it was fine: This will not be an acceptable defense. The Court will only look at whether the cart was taken from the property of the owner.
Contact Us
While stealing a shopping cart in Georgia is a relatively minor crime, it still comes with consequences. Fines and jail time will affect your life. Do not just plead guilty because you think you have no other option. Our Georgia Theft Attorneys will investigate your case and give you options to consider. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
