Shoplifting is frequently an impulse crime committed by young adults. Of course, people of any age could feel an impulse to pocket items without paying or could wind up accused of shoplifting due to their conduct at a store.
Unlike other forms of theft, shoplifting typically does not involve violence or threats but rather grab-and-dash thefts or attempts to conceal merchandise before leaving the store. People accused of shoplifting offenses often consider pleading guilty.
Even if accused shoplifters insist that they didn't intend to steal, they may view a guilty plea as a faster, better solution than fighting the charges they face. Unfortunately, people sometimes fail to understand how serious shoplifting offenses can actually be. In some cases, prosecutors can even pursue felony charges. When is shoplifting no longer considered a misdemeanor offense?
When the merchandise is valuable
Florida state statutes allow prosecutors to pursue felony theft offenses in an assortment of scenarios. If one person steals another person's will, that is a felony. The theft of law enforcement equipment and other assets with special protections under the law could also potentially lead to felony charges.
People shoplifting generally don't have access to the types of assets that trigger felony charges automatically. Therefore, the main consideration when looking at how the state might handle the case is likely the overall value of the stolen property.
Under current state statutes, prosecutors can pursue felony charges when the value of stolen merchandise reaches $750. A designer pair of sunglasses, a piece of expensive jewelry or an electronic device, like a mobile phone, could easily exceed the felony threshold.
Obviously, felony theft charges carry more significant criminal penalties than misdemeanor theft charges. Additionally, the criminal record that results from a conviction or guilty plea is more likely to cause lasting limitations for the person accused of shoplifting. Particularly when young adults make impulsive mistakes, a single shoplifting incident could drastically change the course of their lives.
Evaluating the state's case and developing a thorough criminal defense strategy can be important for those who do not want a shoplifting accusation to lead to life-altering penalties. Adult defendants and parents of juveniles accused of shoplifting may need assistance while navigating the criminal justice system and seeking to limit the long-term consequences of a recent arrest.
Contact us today at (904) 507-6194 to discuss how we can build a strong strategy for your case.