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Shoplifting
Shoplifting is a very common crime and one that is typically found under the misdemeanor category. It includes removing or attempting to remove items from a store, shop or business selling items, without paying for the merchandise. It can also include knowingly paying less than the correct price. This can be done through altering price tags or returning merchandise fraudulently. In most states and areas shoplifting items that are above a value, usually $500, can result in more significant charges. Once a shoplifting crime exceeds $5,000, it can then become prosecuted at a Federal Level.
Shoplifting Penalties
As a first offense, shoplifting charges typically bring about the least severe penalties, although several factors will be considered. In situations where the dollar value exceeds the defined level for shoplifting, more significant felony charges of either larceny or possibly grand theft could be put in place. In addition subsequent shoplifting charges may result in jail time.
Possible Penalties
- Fines
- Court ordered counseling
- Community service
- Jail time
Are you looking for advice on a Shoplifting charge?
An Attorney can help Fight the Charges and Reduce the Penalties.
SUBMIT YOUR CASE for FREE to a Qualified Criminal Attorney in your area.
Shoplifting Sentencing
It is important to keep in mind that any store employee can detain an individual suspected of shoplifting, and that the individual doesn't actually have to leave the store with the merchandise to be charged. Having an attorney that knows how to defend these types of allegations can make all the difference in having the charges dropped or reduced to a disorderly conduct charge will be a very important consideration. Judges tend to take into consideration the number of offenses, any type of special or mitigating circumstances as well as the age of the accused when sentencing is occurring.
Shoplifting: Fines and Jail by State
Penalties Vary Greatly by Case! For accurate penalties, talk to the court clerk or a lawyer!
| State | Avg. Fines | Avg. Jail | Avg. Probation | Other |
| Alabama | 150 | suspended 90 days | 2 years | Not Available |
| Alaska | 150 plus payback | weekends | 3 years | Not Available |
| Arizona | 150 plu payback | Varies Widely by Case | 2 yrs | band from store |
| Arkansas | 1st offense $250 -$425 | 2nd offense 30 days average | average of 12 months probation. Have seen some as long as 3 years. | Community service, and attend a class. They are banned fromn the store for good. |
| California | Small fine | no jail | 1 to 3 years informal probation Community service Misdemeanor charge | above ranges is for first offense,Second, Third, or Fourth Offense State prison sentence of 16 months to 3 years One year in County jail |
| Colorado | $250-$750,000 | 3 months to 12 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Connecticut | Up to $15.000 maximum. | The maximum jail time is 20 years. | Up to 90 days. | Group sessions and home correspondence courses. |
| Delaware | 2300 | $1500 up to $20000 | 36 months | 150 |
| Florida | Upto $500 / Upto $1000 | Upto 60 days / Upto $12 months | Varies by Case | http://www.crimeandpunishment.net/FL/chart.html |
| Georgia | N.A. | 1-10 YEAR | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Hawaii | up to $1000 | up to 6 months | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Idaho | Value of merchandise plus $250, plus costs of attorney fees | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Illinois | upto $2,500 | upto 12 months | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Indiana | up to $5,000 | 6 mos to 3 yrs | up to 1 yr | Not Available |
| Iowa | Depending on the value of the item stolen, the crime can be a Class C Felony, fine between $1,000 to $10,000 down to a Simple misdemeanor - fine between $50 to $500. | Class C Felony - up to 10 years, down to simple misdemeanor - up to 30 days. | Varies by Case | Work release may be granted in misdemeanors, community service may be imposed for felonies. |
| Kansas | up to $2500 | 5-136 months depending on amount taken | First offense can jail time can be taken as probation | Not Available |
| Kentucky | 150 min plus payback | 6m-1y suspended for 1st offense | 5 years max | banishment from retailer |
| Louisiana | up to $2,500 | 6 months to 1 year | up to 2 years | attend a "values" class, up to 600 hours of community service |
| Maine | $100-$250 | up to 6 months | up to 6 months | Judge may order restitution and/or community service. |
| Maryland | up to $25,000 | up to 15 years | minimal | community service |
| Massachusetts | 150 plus payback | Varies Widely by Case | 2 years | CS |
| Michigan | 0-$10,000, or 3 x value of item, whichever is higher | 0-5 yrs. | Varies by Case | Shoplifting includes altering/misrepresenting the price of an item to avoid paying or to pay less, as well as stealing the item. |
| Minnesota | $1000.00 - $3,000.00 | 90 days in jail - 1 year in jail | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Mississippi | up to $1,000 first and second offense, up to $5000 third offense | up to 6 months first and second offense, up to 5 years third offense | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Missouri | up to $1000 | from 1 day to 1 year in jail | A term not less than six months and not to exceed two years for a misdemeanor | Not Available |
| Montana | 150 min plus payback | Varies Widely by Case | 3 years max | banishment from retailer |
| Nebraska | Up to $1000 | Up to 1 year | Varies by Case | Class 1 Misdemeanor - 1st offense and under $200 stolen; Class 2 Misdemeanor if 2nd offense or over $200 stolen; Class 4 Felony if 3rd offense or between $500-1500 stolen. |
| Nevada | 0-100,000 | 0-1 year | 0-3 years | Community service |
| New Hampshire | depends on the value of the property | depends on the value of the property | depends on the value of the property | community service |
| New Jersey | 1,000 - 150,000 | 6 mos - 10 yrs | Varies by Case | for a first offense, at least ten days of community service; for a second offense, at least 15 days of community service; and for a third or subsequent offense, a maximum of 25 days of community service. Any person convicted of a third or subsequent shoplifting offense shall serve a minimum term of imprisonment of not less than 90 days. |
| New Mexico | $250-$2000 | not less then 180 days | 6 months | community service |
| New York | Not exceeding $500 | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Restitution for the value of stolen property |
| North Carolina | Depends on the amount of items you stole. If stolen item is worth less than 5000$ then the maximum fine is 2000$. Also, a victim surcharge (15% of your fine, if you get one). If the item is worth $5000 or more, the fine, jail term and victim surcharge are higher. | Varies Widely by Case | For a first conviction, a judge will usually fine you several hundred dollars and put you on probation that forbids you from going back to the same store for a year. You also get a criminal record. That can prevent you from traveling to other countries, getting certain jobs, being bonded (which some jobs require), and applying for citizenship. | Depends on what you stole, how often you get caught, how old are you, and what part of N.C. you live in, to be honest. |
| North Dakota | 150 min plus payback | Varies Widely by Case | 2 to 8 years in prison | Not Available |
| Ohio | $100 up to $1,000.00 fine. Unless what you stole is worth $500.00 or more. That makes it a felony | up 6 months | nformal probation of up to one to three years | Not Available |
| Oklahoma | $ 50 to $ 750 | 60 days | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Oregon | 500.00 to 5000.00 | Probation to 5 years | 1 to 5 years | community service |
| Pennsylvania | 250 plus pay back | 30 days not exceeding a year for mis | 5 years | 60 hours c.s. |
| Rhode Island | fines of $50 - $500, or two time the retail value of the items stolen | Upto one year in jail | Varies by Case | Shoplifting becomes a felony charge if there if it is a second (2nd) or subsequent offense, and the item shop lifted is valued at over $100. Under Rhode Island criminal law, felony shoplifting penalties are: |
| South Carolina | $500-$1000 | 30 days - 10 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| South Dakota | under 2000 dollars in offense total: 500 plus coast of stolen. Mis. | 30 to 60 days | 5 years | C.S. 40 hours |
| Tennessee | More than $ 100 dollars or double damages if stolen merchandize is recovered; if not, triple damages. | Varies Widely by Case | 11/29 probation | Not Available |
| Texas | 0-$2,000 | 0-180 days | Varies by Case | could be ordered to complete community service |
| Utah | 200 to 275 dollars | Varies Widely by Case | 1 month | Not Available |
| Vermont | 0-$300 | 0-6 mos. | Varies by Case | For those 16+ years of age, restitution for any item not returned in merchantable condition, and a civil penalty 2x the price of the item, $25-300. |
| Virginia | 150-250 | 6 m suspended | 2 yrs | band from retail store |
| Washington | Up to $5,000 in fines. | Up to one year in jail. | Probation for a first timer will probably be in the 6-12 month range. | Not Available |
| West Virginia | 150 plus payback | suspended 90 days | 2 years | Not Available |
| Wisconsin | $25 to $10,0000 | Up to 9 months | 1 to 2 years | Not Available |
| Wyoming | $200.00 -$500 | 0-6 months | 1 year | community service |
Hire A Lawyer For Shoplifting
Whether you have been charged of shoplifting or as an accessory to shoplifting, an experienced professional defense attorney is essential to represent you in court. An attorney can have the charges reduced or even dropped, and may be able to negotiation a much lesser penalty in a plea bargain before you go to court. In addition the attorney can also work to have your record expunged after the sentencing has occurred.
- If you have been charged with Shoplifting, Submit Your Case for a Free Review from a skilled Criminal Defense Attorney.