Shoplifting is an act in which a consumer, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner, takes a product from a store without paying for it. This includes switching tags, eating food without paying for it, stealing a shopping carriage, or concealing an item. Shoplifting laws in Massachusetts are governed by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 266, Section 30A:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter266/Section30A
Shoplifting can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on cost of the item that was taken from the shelf, subject to fines as follows:
- Less than $100 = $250 fine for the first offense; $500 fine for the second offense.
- More than $100 = jail sentence of 2 ½ years and a $1,000 fine
- caught-shoplifting
Classification:
- $100-$249 = misdemeanor larceny
- $250 or more = felony larceny
Those who are arrested for shoplifting might not believe that it is a serious matter, but it should not be taken lightly. Shoplifting is a crime in Massachusetts, and does shows up on criminal history reports. It can be an embarrassing thing to have on your record, especially if you made a good faith mistake while shopping. The number of loss prevention officers are increasing in Massachusetts stores, and they might sometimes wrongfully detain a shopper even when that shopper didn’t do anything wrong.
At Chambers Law Office, we have experience in defending clients who have been charged with shoplifting. While there is no guarantee of success, having a skilled attorney on your side is beneficial to you because we can either reduce the severity of the shoplifting charge or have it dismissed completely based on the evidence. If you do not have an experienced attorney to help you, you may regret it because this will remain on your record permanently and it could possibly limit employment opportunities for you.
If you think this is not a matter worth fighting against, think again. Our attorneys will gather evidence, conduct interviews, and file all the motions necessary for your defense. Set up your consultation today!
