Theft & Shoplifting
Defence for theft under and over $5,000, shoplifting, and possession of stolen property.
Call 24/7 · 519-977-5407Understanding theft & shoplifting charges
Theft charges are divided at the $5,000 line, with theft under $5,000 — including most shoplifting — among the most common charges in Ontario courts. Common does not mean harmless: a theft conviction is a crime of dishonesty on your record, visible to employers and border officials.
For many first-time accused, the realistic goal is keeping a record clean. Depending on the circumstances and the local Crown's practices, options such as diversion or other non-criminal resolutions may be available — and where they aren't, the Crown's evidence still has to hold up.
How We Defend
Assess eligibility for diversion and record-protecting resolutions
Test the evidence: continuity, video quality, and identification
Examine intent — honest mistake and colour of right matter in law
Address civil recovery demand letters that often follow store incidents
Protect immigration, employment, and travel interests in any resolution
Every case turns on its own facts. Call 519-977-5407 for a confidential assessment of yours.
What To Expect
How your defence proceeds
Call — any hour
The phone is answered 24/7. If you or a family member has been arrested, the sooner we're involved, the more options you have.
Disclosure & review
We obtain the Crown's disclosure and go through it line by line — evidence, statements, procedure, and Charter issues.
Strategy
You get a straight assessment: the strengths, the risks, and the realistic paths — resolution, negotiation, or trial.
Resolution or trial
Whether it ends in a withdrawal, a negotiated outcome, or a verdict, your case is prepared as if it's going the distance.
Common Questions
Theft & Shoplifting: what people ask us
It's a first-time shoplifting charge. Will I get a criminal record?
Not necessarily. Depending on the value, circumstances, and Crown practice, first-time accused are often candidates for diversion or other resolutions that avoid a record. We assess that at the first meeting.
The store sent me a letter demanding hundreds of dollars. Do I have to pay?
Those 'civil recovery' letters are separate from the criminal case, and paying them neither ends nor helps the prosecution. Get advice before responding.
The answers above are general information about Ontario law, not legal advice about your situation. For advice on your case, call 519-977-5407.
Related Practice Areas
Charged with an offence?
Speak with our team today about your options. The phone is answered 24 hours a day: 519-977-5407.