I've been falsely accused of theft. What can I do?

If you have been falsely accused of theft, the severity of the consequences that you face depends on two things. First, it matters what you are accused of stealing. Second, it matters who you allegedly stole it from. Even at the very minimum, if you are convicted it will become part of your criminal record so you need to do everything within your means to establish your innocence. Do not allow yourself to be reckless or negligent because you believe the case is minor.

It is imperative that you immediately contact a criminal defense attorney. You should do this before you give any statements to the police. Individuals are often coaxed by police officers who just want “to talk” or “ask you a few questions.” Do not forget that incriminating statements are not limited to what you say in your official written statement.

You should also compile a list of the names and contact details of individuals who were present when the alleged incident occurred. For example, if you were falsely accused of shoplifting, you may want to include sales clerks on that shift and anyone who accompanied you. These individuals may be able to provide statements that are valuable to your case, so this list should be promptly given to your attorney.

If you are falsely accused of stealing from an individual, do not allow your temper or emotions to drive you to threaten the person. This includes to his face or in conversations with others. You should have no contact with the alleged victim unless it is by way of your attorney.