What happens if you are caught stealing in a shop?

Question

HARRYB!!

If you cant give me a decent answer then f%CK YOU!!!

U vile idiot

Answer 1

This is all assuming you are in England or Wales, as the question's posted on the UK and Ireland site. Sorry I don't know the precise details for ROI or Scotland as the legal framework is different.

The police will be called, and may charge you with Stealing From Shops and Stalls. If there is enough evidence, you will be prosecuted. What sentence you will receive at court depends on a variety of factors:

- What did you steal? Worse penalties would be imposed for, say, a diamond encrusted watch than a bar of chocolate. The value of the goods and whether the store got them back safely will be considered.
- Do you have a history of repeat offending in this manner?
- Is the theft related to drug or alcohol problems (e.g. did you steal alcohol, or steal goods to sell to fund a habit)?
- Did you steal impulsively, or plan it and set out to follow your plan (which makes it more serious)?
- Did you act alone, or were you in a group (again, more serious)?

etc etc

This huge range of factors means that sentences can be anything from a fine or a Conditional Discharge, through a Community Order to custody.

Answer 2

Hi and good morning.... It actually depends on what was stolen and the contents and what the manager has in mind. Some managers of a store will have you return the items and refuse you to enter the premises for a certain length of time. Some will call the police and press charges on the items that were taken. Depending on the contents of what was stolen, and the individual that took them items if they had prior convictions will determine there day in court. If the price of the contents were more that 300/500 dollars then that would be considered a felony. If the contents were below 300.00 then it would be classified as a misdemeanor. The individual could either get probation or if sever enough, time in jail with a fine. It all depends if the individual had priors or not and was a repetitive offencer. Hope this has helped. Good luck! Have a great day!

Answer 3

It would usually depend on the value of the item(s) stolen. According to LaFave's Hornbook on Criminal Law, Shoplifting is a form of larceny. Larceny is committed when someone moves an item with an intent to steal it.
You only have to move the item a short distance to have committed larceny. So, putting the item back or paying for the item later would not relieve you of the charge. However, if you had no intent to steal the item when you moved it, you have not committed larceny or "shoplifting."
At the point that one is caught engaging in larceny within a shop or store, the shopkeeper (manager, clerk, owner etc.,) is allowed what is known as the "shopkeepers privilege." The Shopkeepers privilege allows the shopkeeper to detain a person suspected of larceny until the police arrive, and even to search the person in some states. Through the operation of this privilege, the shopkeeper is insulated from any suit for false imprisonment etc., as long as it was reasonable for the shopkeeper to suspect that larceny had been committed.

Answer 4

In the US there would not be a criminal record unless the police and court system were involved. I've never heard of a Civil Recovery Specialist, but this may be a for profit type of enterprise that makes you pay a fine in lieu of turning the case over to the police. What your friend has to weigh is whether paying the fine is preferable to going through the courts and having a shoplifting charge on her record. Most people would say no, making these recovery specialists free to 'fine' what they want. I don't know about UK law, but I can't help thinking a recovery specialist wouldn't stand up to a legal challenge in the US. It sounds like extortion to me. EDIT: It sounds like this last bit is on the par with suing your friend. While it's a novel way to approach shoplifting, I do think the administrative costs far outweigh the cost of the item - which they didn't lose to begin with.

Answer 5

It can depend on store policy. Many press for a prosecution and some don't. Yiou may get away with a caution for a ffirst offence (first time caught I mean ). on the other hand you may be fined or placed on probation. Either way you wil have a criminal record.

The only vile idiot i have seen on this to day is of course yourself

Answer 6

You did not mention the country involved as laws differ from one country to another.

Normally, you are handed over to law enforcement agents when you are caught stealing not even in a shop alone, but anywhere.

In countries where Sharia is accepted, you risk your two hands being chopped off.

In some countries, you go to jail and graduate to become an Armed Robber.

For a Christian home, you become a nuisance to the family. You could send either your father or mother to an early grave.

Answer 7

The security guard or store manager will hold you until the police arrive.

They will take you to a police station, search you, take away your shoes and jewllery and put you in a cell.

You will be charged. Hopefully you will be released on bail, unless you cannot provide a fixed address.

Then you will appear before magistrates and will be sentenced.

You will not go to jail for your first offence.

Answer 8

It would depend on the stores policy some would call the police and prosecute no matter what it was you stole. Others it it was something small say costing a quid they would take it off you and tell you never to come near the store again.

Answer 9

Depends what country and city.

Some places chop your hands off for that.

In the US, it might depend on the store and the city. If the store elects to press charges, how much trouble you would be in depends somewhat on the value of the products taken.

If you want to avoid trouble, pay for what you take.

Answer 10

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