Theft is one of the most common crimes throughout the entirety of the US. Around 1 in 20 people have shoplifted, and shoplifting as a phenomenon is always present on our minds.
After all, CCTV is everywhere, and there are sign reminders in every store about what will happen if a customer is caught stealing.
As such, there’s a pretty high chance you could be accused of stealing some day, whether by a shop owner or even your own boss, and it’s important to know what to do next.
In the Workplace
If your employer has called you in on a matter of ‘misconduct’, only to then accuse you of stealing something from the workplace, the case can get a little bit complex.
Cooperate with the investigation
There will be a disciplinary hearing to go through, firstly, where you’re able to present your case and both ask and answer questions. Be sure to cooperate with the investigation, even if you don’t want and can’t quite believe you’re being accused of theft.
Your employer has an obligation to be fair during this hearing, and you’ll have the chance to put your own evidence and point of view across.
Talk to an employment lawyer
You can do this while the investigation is ongoing, or you can call them the moment you’ve been told by your employer that you’re being dismissed.
But if the outcome of the hearing has resulted in a loss for you, be sure to get an employment lawyer on the phone to go through your chances of being able to sue for unfair dismissal.
In the Outside World
If the accusation has come from someone in your personal life, or you’ve been ‘caught’ on CCTV at a shop where something was stolen at the same time you were inside, the next steps are a bit different.
Stay calm
It’s totally normal to react with panic, anger, confusion, and even feeling completely numb.
Someone has pointed you out as a suspected thief, and your mind is pinging all over the place about how to prove your innocence.
Take deep breaths, try to ground yourself, and if the police have been called, do your best to cooperate.
And as soon as you get the chance to:
Call a defense lawyer ASAP
Whether or not you're feeling calm and cool, or you’re panicking and all over the place, there’s one person you should be on the phone to right now: your lawyer.
And yes, you may need to contact an actual criminal defense law office here, like the experts at Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C..
Because even though you’re not a criminal, you’re being accused of a criminal act and are currently being treated like one.
A defense lawyer in a police interview with you, or present at any legal meetings throughout the case, will mean you have the best support right there next to you.
If you’ve been accused of stealing, protect yourself with these tips.
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