Attempted Theft at Department Store at Georgia Mall During Holiday Season

A group of women allegedly took 30 coats off the rack at a department store at North Point Mall in Fulton County. The amount of coats added up to several thousands of dollars.

The security guards at the department store apparently caught on quickly, and the women each dropped the coats and ran out of the store.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the offense that the group of women allegedly attempted to commit.

Theft by Taking in Georgia

Theft by Taking in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code as:

Theft by taking is the most common type of theft that appears in Georgia. Georgia defines theft by taking as occurring when a person unlawfully takes or, being in lawful possession thereof, unlawfully appropriates any property of another with the intention of depriving him of the property, regardless of the manner in which property is taken or appropriated. O.C.G.A. §16-8-2.

All theft crimes are classified similarly - ranging from theft by receiving in Georgia to theft of trade secrets in Georgia.

Therefore the theft crime can either be a misdemeanor or felony in Georgia.

When the theft involves property valued at $500 or less, then the crime will be deemed a misdemeanor in Georgia. The consequences of a misdemeanor include a fine of no more than $1,000 and a jail sentence of no more than 12 months.

When the theft involves property valued at more than $500, the crime will more than likely be deemed a felony. The consequences of a felony include a prison sentence of no less than one year and no more than ten years.

Practice Note

There are plenty of Georgia Criminal Defenses that can apply to a theft crime. If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney today.

Do not wait to schedule a consultation - we are available to speak with you at any time. Call us now.