Lord & Taylor Shoplifting Cases

Lord & Taylor is the oldest luxury department store in the US. Founded in 1826 in Manhattan as a hosiery and shawl store, it has transformed into a chain of over 50 stores selling everything from clothing to electronics and housewares. It’s located in Manhattan at 424 5^th Avenue making jurisdiction over any shoplifting cases fall within New York County.

Shoplifting cases at Lord and Taylor can be the result of direct observation by store security or through video surveillance. Often, arrests happen within the store and before the suspected shoplifter has left. This raises a natural question as to whether the suspect was really going to leave without paying.

Store security often looks for the following behaviors.

• Placing unpaid merchandise in a personal bag
• Placing unpaid merchandise in a shopping bag brought in from outside
• Placing unpaid merchandise in a shopping bag obtained inside
• Entering a fitting room with fewer items and without leaving them in the fitting room
• Tag switching where an expensive price tag is swapped with a less expensive tag

Following arrest in the store by store security, Lord & Taylor often transfers custody to the NYPD who in turn refers the case to the New York County District Attorney for prosecution. The District Attorney will typically charge a shoplifter with petit larceny and possession of stolen property, both class A misdemeanors punishable by up to 1 year in jail.

We can help.

If you "did it"

• Don't give up, we are here to help
• We can fight for a complete dismissal
• We can challenge the evidence to take advantage of any mistake by the store or the police. This won't make your situation worse and, in fact, we have often obtained very favorable outcomes by doing this. This can work because you are presumed innocent by law.
• We can show the prosecutor and judge that there is more to you than this case. Why let this case be the only thing they know about you?
• If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, or other emotional conditions, please let us know
• If you were distracted or under the influence of a medication, this is important and you should let us know
• Contact us at 212-619-3900 for a case evaluation

If you are innocent

• Don't give up, we are here to help
• We can fight for a complete dismissal
• Contact us at 212-619-3900 for a case evaluation

Some of our Lord and Taylor Shoplifting Case Results

• Client was arrested for taking almost$2,000 of merchandise. Client was charged with a felony (grand larceny) punishable by up to 4 years in prison. Client worked in a professional environment and any criminal conviction could have been catastrophic. This presented a challenge because in order to avoid lasting employment consequences, client need to avoid any felony conviction but also any misdemeanor conviction. We successfully negotiated a deal to get all criminal charges dropped. Client paid a small fine and did some community service. No jail, no criminal record, and arrest photo, fingerprints, and arrest record sealed. (D2276)
• Client and friend both arrested for taking about $300 of clothing. They were both charged with class A misdemeanors punishable by up to 1 year in jail. Since both were in school and relatively young, there was natural concern about how a shoplifting conviction might impair future plans to work in a professional setting. Case ultimately dismissed, record sealed (K2349)
• Client arrested for taking almost$1,000 of merchandise. Client was charged with a class A misdemeanor and faced up to 1 year in jail. Client also faced immigration consequences. Case successfully resolved with no jail, no criminal record, criminal charges dropped, small fine. Client was provided with immigration assistance to resolve related immigration problems. (R2347)
• Client arrested for taking about $400 of merchandise. Client was suffering from certain physical issues and on medication at the time. This allowed us get client's case resolved in a way that took client's conditions into account. Case eventually dismissed, records sealed. (M2036)

Shoplifting convictions can lead to permanent and life altering consequences. Before you set foot in a courtroom, you could lose your job, get fined, and suffer from embarrassment, stress, and anxiety. Depending on the outcome of your case, you may face up to a year in jail and a permanent criminal record. Contact us today to discuss the options available to you. The sooner you call, the sooner we can shed light on your situation and what it would take to achieve the best outcome.