During the holiday season, you may be on the hunt to find the perfect gifts for your family and friends. But what starts out as an innocent shopping trip can take a wrong turn that can land you behind bars. Here are three common reasons why people are arrested when all they intended to do was holiday shop, and how you can avoid finding yourself in this scenario.
Shoplifting
Everyone wants to find the ideal gift for their loved ones. However, if money is tight and the gift is not in your budget, you may suddenly see a devil sitting on your shoulder telling you to steal the item. The store may be extremely busy and people may be everywhere and because of this, it can be tempting to take what you want, thinking that security is too busy to catch you. Unfortunately, security is typically beefed up around the holiday time and you may be arrested if you attempt to steal the item. If you cannot afford it, look for an alternative that may be cheaper.
Battery or Assault
Another common reason why someone may be arrested while out holiday shopping is because they got into a fight or altercation. If this occurs, one or both parties involved in the fight may be charged with battery or assault. The holidays can be stressful, and this stress can lead to fights. You may fight with someone who stole your parking lot or get into a scuffle over a hot holiday toy. While it is easy to lose your cool, it is important to keep a cool head. The last thing you want is to be dealing with jails, courts and bail bonds during the holiday season.
Purchasing Stolen Merchandise
The last common reason why someone may be arrested when holiday shopping is because they purchased stolen merchandise. If a deal sounds too good to be true or you know the items are stolen, use common sense and avoid purchasing them. While it may cost more to purchase the item from a reputable source, at least you don't run the risk of being arrested.
Shoplifting, battery or assault and purchasing stolen merchandise are all common crimes that you may be charged with if your holiday shopping trip takes an unexpected turn. If you have found yourself arrested or charged with a crime, a criminal law attorney can assist you. Contact one as quickly as possible to work on a defense or work to get a plea deal put in place.
