In rare cases, a shoplifting charge can result from an accidental taking when the person became distracted. Even in those rare cases in which the law enforcement officer believes that the shopper took the item by mistake, the officer will usually still make an arrest.
False accusations for theft offenses can occur for a number of reasons. If you have been falsely accused of any theft offense, you should act quickly to have an attorney address the issue before a filing decision is made by the State Attorney's Office.
An attorney like Kurt Teifke can best present your side of the story to law enforcement, the alleged victim, and the State Attorney's Office in an attempt to convince them not to go forward with a prosecution even days after the incident.
In other rare cases, theft or shoplifting can be a manifestation of an underlying psychological problem that can (arguably) best be addressed outside of the criminal justice system. By being proactive in seeking counseling, you may be able to show the court, prosecutor, and alleged victim that you do not deserve a criminal record or a jail sentence.