Hiring an Indian River Shoplifting Arrest Lawyer

Even when you think it’s only a prank, you may find yourself arrested and charged with a crime. This is especially true in the era of social distancing as pranksters find themselves arrested across the United States.

A Prank Gone Wrong

One such case is in Florida. Two teenagers were taken into custody in Vero Beach in early may after performing a prank at a Walmart. They were seen deliberately coughing on customers and spraying them with Febreeze.

The suspects allegedly own a Youtube channel where they play pranks and perform social media challenges. When asked why they were playing the prank, they stated that they were simply trying to make people laugh to make a video for Youtube.

In addition to playing the prank, the duo stole the bottle of Febreeze from a store shelf. The two charges the pranksters face are disorderly conduct and shoplifting.

Charges

Disorderly conduct, also referred to as “breach of the peace,” is any act that either:

• Corrupts public morals
• Engages in fighting
• Outrages the sense of public decency
• Affects the peace and quiet of persons who may witness the act
• Engages in conduct that constitutes a breach of the peace

Those who are charged with disorderly conduct face a 2nd-degree misdemeanor. Violators may face up to 60 days in prison and may also face a $500 fine. They will also have a criminal record and this can affect the likelihood of finding a job. For this type of charge, either defendant might argue that he was engaging in protected speech with the help of an Indian River county criminal lawyer.

An Indian River shoplifting arrest is much more serious. The least serious shoplifting offense is petty theft. This applies to goods taken that are worth less than $100. This is a second degree misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 60 days in prison and $500 in fines. After an Indian River shoplifting arrest, either defendant would have a difficult time arguing that they made a mistake since the Febreeze was taken with the purpose of using it for the prank.

Indian River Shoplifting Arrest Lawyer Jonathan Jay Kirschner

If you are accused of shoplifting or disorderly conduct and are looking for an Indian River county criminal lawyer, contact Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates, LLC at (772) 489-8501.