People make mistakes every day. Unfortunately, some of these mistakes can end up haunting a person long after the matter has been settled. This can be especially true when it comes to criminal offenses. A person who has a criminal record can find it very difficult to find a job and make a living, which only makes it harder to move forward. One of the most effective ways of dealing with these situations is to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Unfortunately, it is not always that easy. There are certain compulsions or habits that can plague folks and make it more challenging to avoid the behaviors that got them into trouble in the first place. This can be the case for many people who are charged with crimes involving larceny. Criminal behavior that involves wrongfully acquiring personal property from another person is referred to as larceny. This can include charges of shoplifting, check fraud, embezzlement, and being in possession of stolen property.
Recently, a North Carolina woman with nine previous convictions of larceny was again charged with forgery. Authorities approached the woman in a store and accused her of using fraudulent checks. According to reports, a loss prevention agent in the store alerted the police after an employee believed that she had used a check with altered routing numbers.
At this point, nothing had been proven or confirmed, but when police arrived, however, the woman reportedly admitted to altering the checks. She explained that while the checks she was using were real, the bank documents had been altered and she was arrested.
Other people who find themselves in a similar situation should remember that they have the right to remain silent when approached by authorities. Talking to police without legal representation can end up being used against a person in court, and it is crucial that we remember that people are innocent until proven guilty.
Source: Charlotte Observer, “Charlotte business owner accused of forgery in Rock Hill,” Anna Douglas, April 19, 2013
- Our North Carolina criminal defense law firm works with people who are facing similar situations to those discussed in this post. For more information, please visit our page on larceny and theft.