Can you be charged with a felony for shoplifting?

State law allows prosecutors to charge shoplifting as a felony if the merchandise was worth a certain amount and the defendant has two or more prior shoplifting convictions. The prosecutor charges Leora with felony shoplifting. (See Miss. Code. Ann. 97-23-93.)

Which is the most serious degree of shoplifting?

Some states also have degrees of shoplifting felonies, which indicate levels of seriousness of the crime. Felony degrees may range from one to five, with fifth-degree felony being the most serious. Should I Contact an Attorney about My Shoplifting Charge?

What’s the difference between shoplifting and breaking the law?

The intent to deprive the items’ rightful owner (typically the store) of possession of the items, without paying the purchase price. Crucially, this means that in most states, one can break shoplifting laws without attempting to get out of a store with stolen goods. Simply concealing merchandise, inside or outside the store, will often be enough.

What does it mean to shoplift from a store?

Shoplifting is intentionally taking merchandise from a store or retail shop without permission and without paying for the items. The person must intend to permanently depriving the business of its merchandise. Many items can be targeted for shoplifting, some more than others; some items that are commonly shoplifted may include:

Can a person be charged with a felony for shoplifting?

A person can be charged with either misdemeanor or felony shoplifting. Whether a shoplifting charge is a form of felony theft depends on state law. A shoplifting charge may be listed under petty theft or another type of larceny.

What’s the minimum price for shoplifting in California?

“They’ll pick the $800 unit and just grab it and run out the door.” Anything below $950 keeps the crime a misdemeanor — and likely means the thieves face no pursuit and no punishment, say retailers and law enforcement officials.