I was just caught shoplifting with my friend from Von Maur. Thhe total of the merchandise stolen was $440 [two pairs of jeans]. I'm wondering what my sentence may be. I just turned 18 about 2 weeks ago.
2007-12-02 12:25:07 · 3 answers · asked by Bobby 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Because the value of the shop-lifted goods are under $1000, you are likely to be charged as a "Misdemeanor"
The charges for shoplifting also depend on whether a person has a criminal history of shoplifting and other specific factors.
The penalties for shoplifting vary by circumstance and location but can include fines up to two times the amount of the value that was stolen, prison or jail time, and community service. In some cases compensatory fines may also be assessed in shoplifting cases in order to compensate a store owner for his or her losses.
In some shoplifting cases when the value of the goods is minor and it is a first time offense, perhaps committed by a minor, the criminal justice system will issue a warning to the shoplifting offender rather than prosecute the case. This depends wholly on the circumstances, and does not mitigate the unlawfulness of shoplifting.
So bascially if you have never been in trouble before with the law, you will get less than a year in jail, and or a fine and community service or similar.
If you have been in trouble before with the law, you are probably going to be in jail for up to a year.
2007-12-02 12:40:34 · answer #1 · answered by Paul W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
according to onlinelawyers.com,
"Shoplifting is considered a misdemeanor petty theft if the value of the stolen goods totals less than $300 to $500. In some cases, first time offenders may be charged with a less serious crime such as disorderly conduct so as not to face the consequences imposed by shoplifting laws.
If an offender has a history of shoplifting or the value of the stolen goods exceeds $500, shoplifting laws often yield harsher penalties. An offender can be charged with grand theft or larceny , both of which are felony crimes. Under shoplifting laws, a person who is convicted of this crime may receive a sentence that includes jail or prison time, punitive fines, community service, and/or other penalties."
Of course, many laws vary from state-to-state, so a good look into the local public library's reference section may provide books on the laws of your state concerning this issue.
2007-12-02 20:39:01 · answer #2 · answered by Il fuoco di furia 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Here, it would be a $500 fine and probation.
2007-12-02 20:35:23 · answer #3 · answered by Citicop 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋