Two First-Time Offenders. One Future Protected. One Future Complicated.

🛍️ “It Was Just a Mistake…”

It's one of the most common charges in Louisiana — especially in college towns like Ruston:

Theft under $1,000.
Most of the time, it's for shoplifting.

Whether it's a teenager acting out or a college student caught off guard by a friend's bad idea, the outcome depends entirely on how the situation is handled.

At Lawrence Law Firm, we've helped dozens of clients walk away from theft charges with clean records — but we've also seen what happens when people don't take it seriously enough.

⚖️ Scenario A: Expungement and No Lasting Record

Sierra is 19, a college sophomore, and was stopped leaving a retail store with an item in her bag she didn't pay for. No criminal history. Cooperative. Charges her with theft under $1,000.

Her parents call a lawyer immediately.

🔍 What We Do:

• Review the report and verify eligibility for pretrial diversion

• Coordinate counseling and restitution where applicable

• Negotiate for dismissal or Article 894 deferred sentence

• File for expungement as soon as legally allowed

✅ Outcome:

• Charges dismissed

• No conviction

• Record expunged within 90–180 days

• No impact on school, job applications, or background checks

❌ Scenario B: Conviction, Public Record, and Academic Consequences

Caleb is 20, caught in a similar situation. Same charge. But:

• He goes to court alone

• Pleads guilty at his arraignment

• Doesn't realize the guilty plea creates a permanent criminal record

• Tries to apply for a job months later — and gets rejected

🚫 Consequences:

• Conviction for theft — a crime of dishonesty

• Shows up on all background checks

• Can't expunge for 5 years minimum, and only if no other convictions

• It may be flagged by universities, licensing boards, and employers

• Damage done before he even knows how to fix it

🧠 Why This Charge Isn't “No Big Deal”

Louisiana law classifies theft under $1,000 as a misdemeanor, but that doesn't make it harmless. Employers, landlords, and even some schools view theft as a red flag — and it can follow you for years if you plead guilty too soon.

⚠️ Even if the value is low, the record is the real price.

🛡️ What We Do to Protect Your Record

At Lawrence Law Firm, we help first-time theft clients by:

• Getting charges reduced or dismissed

• Negotiating non-conviction resolutions (like Article 894 or diversion)

• Preserving eligibility for expungement as soon as possible

• Communicating with employers or universities if needed

• Making sure one mistake doesn't define your child's future

📞 Caught Shoplifting? You Still Have Options.

📞 Call 318.232.4000 to speak with a criminal defense lawyer in Ruston, Louisiana
🖥️ Or [schedule a confidential consultation] online

Protect the record now — before it becomes the reason for the next rejection.

🔜 Coming Up in the Series:

Blog #4: Battery Charge — Trial vs. Plea Bargain

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Artificial Intelligence has been used to assist in formatting, topic selection, and organization, and while this information has been reviewed an attorney, this article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.