Kentucky Shoplifting Charges: Penalties, Defenses, and How to Protect Your Record
Kentucky shoplifting charges are prosecuted as theft by unlawful taking under KRS 514.030. Here are the penalties, the defenses, and how to keep it off your record.
KRS Offense Guides
Detailed guides to Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) criminal offense codes. Each guide explains the elements of the offense, potential penalties, available defenses, and how Clark + Harris approaches cases involving these charges in Kentucky courts.
Complete Guide to Kentucky Traffic Offense Penalties — KRS 186 and KRS 189
If you’ve been charged with a traffic offense in Kentucky, understanding the specific penalties you face is critical. Kentucky’s traffic laws are spread across multiple chapters of the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS), and penalties range from modest fines for minor violations to felony charges carrying years in prison. This guide provides a comprehensive reference to … Read more
KRS 519.050 – Tampering with Public Records in Kentucky
Understanding KRS 519.050 – Tampering with Public Records Public records are foundational to government transparency and the administration of justice. Under KRS 519.050, knowingly making a false entry in or falsely altering a public record, or knowingly destroying, concealing, or removing a public record is a criminal offense in Kentucky. Elements of the Offense The … Read more
Expungement in Kentucky — KRS 431.073 | Clark + Harris
Kentucky Expungement — KRS 431.073 Related Articles Bail and Pretrial Release in Kentucky — KRS 431 | Clark + Harris How Kentucky’s Expungement Statute (KRS 431.073) Interacts with Federal Firearms Law KRS 431.015 – Citizen’s Arrest in Kentucky: Rights and Risks KRS 431.005 – Statute of Limitations for Criminal Offenses in Kentucky Second-Degree Assault in … Read more
Public Intoxication in Kentucky — KRS 525.100
Understanding Criminal Charges Under Kentucky Law Every criminal charge in Kentucky has specific elements the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest standard of proof in the legal system — it means the evidence must be so compelling that no reasonable person could doubt the defendant’s guilt. If the prosecution fails … Read more
Robbery Third Degree in Kentucky — KRS 515.040
Understanding Kentucky’s Theft Offense Structure Kentucky organizes theft offenses by value and method. Theft of property or services under $500 is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 12 months). Between $500 and $10,000 is a Class D felony (1-5 years). Over $10,000 is a Class C felony (5-10 years). But the statute of the offense … Read more
Kentucky Drug Diversion Programs — Clark + Harris
Kentucky Diversion Programs for Drug Charges Kentucky has developed several programs that provide alternatives to traditional prosecution for drug offenses. These programs can result in dismissal of charges, avoiding the collateral consequences of drug convictions. Clark + Harris helps clients navigate Kentucky’s drug diversion options and determine which programs may be appropriate for their cases … Read more
Robbery First Degree in Kentucky — KRS 515.020
Understanding Kentucky’s Theft Offense Structure Kentucky organizes theft offenses by value and method. Theft of property or services under $500 is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 12 months). Between $500 and $10,000 is a Class D felony (1-5 years). Over $10,000 is a Class C felony (5-10 years). But the statute of the offense … Read more
Improper Passing of a School Bus in Kentucky — KRS 189.370
Understanding Criminal Charges Under Kentucky Law Every criminal charge in Kentucky has specific elements the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest standard of proof in the legal system — it means the evidence must be so compelling that no reasonable person could doubt the defendant’s guilt. If the prosecution fails … Read more
Hemp vs Marijuana Defense in Kentucky — Clark + Harris
The Hemp vs. Marijuana Distinction in Kentucky Criminal Cases Since the federal 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, Kentucky has developed a significant hemp industry. However, hemp and marijuana come from the same plant species (Cannabis sativa), and they can be difficult to distinguish visually, by smell, or even by some laboratory tests. This creates complex … Read more