A Green Bay man who allegedly opened his neighbor's mail and took a holiday gift card may find himself in need of a criminal defense attorney.

According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the 39-year-old man is accused of opening his neighbor's mail and taking the $200 gift card, then spending it at a local store. It may not have seemed like a serious offense at the time, but police say they tracked him down after examining surveillance at a Wal-Mart store.

The man's 19-year-old neighbor apparently alerted authorities that a Christmas card with a gift card had not arrived. Officers say they checked and were able to figure out the card was used at the store, and then they examined the footage. That apparently led them to a man who lives in the downstairs apartment in the same unit as the man who reported the missing card.

Police claim they found the gift card on the man's person, wrapped in a note from the younger man's father. He was arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft and opening a letter without the owner's consent.

It appears to spell more legal trouble for the man, who also had a warrant from the Wisconsin State Patrol and Oconto County.

Being arrested for anything, particularly if a person has a history of legal problems, can impact one's future, one's family and one's reputation. Hiring a qualified criminal defense attorney who can provide aggressive defense representation may dull the impact an arrest can have on one's life.

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette, "Green Bay man accused of stealing $200 gift card from neighbor's mail," Charles Davis, Dec. 29, 2011