SHOPLIFTING: DISMISSED ON FIRST COURT DATE

A Walpole Police Officer was conducting a security check in the parking lot of Walmart when his attention was drawn to a white male (defendant) who was acting suspiciously. The male was walking quickly to his vehicle, jumped in his vehicle, and kept looking at the officer’s police cruiser. The officer followed the defendant’s vehicle, which was speeding away. During the pursuit, the officer received a dispatch about a recent shoplifting at Walmart. The officer stopped the Defendant’s vehicle. Defendant told the officer that he was doing some shopping at Walmart and forgot to pay for some items. Police obtained surveillance video footage showing the defendant stealing items from Walmart, loading the items in his vehicle, and driving away. Defendant had a 5-page criminal record with convictions for theft crimes, drug crimes, and violent crimes.

Result: Despite the client’s lengthy criminal record, Attorney Gerald J. Noonan was able to get the Shoplifting charge dismissed upon payment of court costs on the first court date. Attorney Noonan argued that there were mitigating circumstances. Defendant had been battling some mental health issues for a long time. After he was charged with this offense, Defendant sought and received treatment for his mental illnesses for the first time. Defendant was the primary caregiver for his elderly mother. Prior to exiting the store, the client voluntarily returned all the items.