Christmas time means more people are heading to shopping malls and stores to purchase gifts for their loved ones. From a business perspective, this also means a higher likelihood of theft. Stores throughout Polk and Dallas Counties in Iowa often significantly increase their loss prevention officer (LPO) staffing during the holiday shopping season.
As a result of the increase in loss prevention staff, we typically see a significant spike in theft charges during this time of year. A large portion of these charges involve individuals accused of taking items valued at less than $300. In Iowa, this is generally classified as theft in the fifth degree, a simple misdemeanor. If you have no prior criminal history, you may be able to go to court, plead guilty, and receive a $105 fine, a 15% criminal surcharge, and $60 in court costs. However, this outcome is not guaranteed.
While the fine for fifth-degree theft in Iowa may not cause significant financial hardship, the consequences of having a theft conviction on your criminal record can be much more serious. A theft conviction may disqualify you from employment opportunities that involve handling or managing money. Additionally, I've seen cases where a theft conviction has prevented individuals from obtaining jobs that do not involve handling or managing money at all.
Fortunately, there may be options available to help prevent a theft charge from remaining on your criminal record or to have the charge dismissed altogether. Our law firm can help you explore these possibilities. Some Iowa counties offer programs that allow eligible individuals to have certain theft charges dismissed. These programs recognize the significant impact a theft conviction can have on a person's future employment opportunities.
If you or a loved one has been charged with theft in Iowa, give our law firm a call. We can help you understand your options and point you in the right direction.