Shoplifting used to be a staple of “coming of age” for many young teens. Even people who you would never consider “thieves” may admit that they have had “sticky fingers” at some point in the past. Whether it was done as a prank or dare, or if it was done to fulfill some sort of rebellious void, shoplifting is a crime that many don’t take seriously. Memes have even gone viral displaying some of the worst and best shoplifters in history. On one video, I even witnessed a woman carry out a whole generator under her dress!
Sometimes, people will shoplift because they feel as though they “have to”. This is a psychological perspective of course. This rationality is often adapted by people who are less capable of affording things they see as necessity. People without homes, or far from family and no means to get to them may go to desperate measures of survival as well.
Shoplifting can vary from the status of a misdemeanor or a felony depending on how valuable the stolen merchandise is.
Businesses are also aware of many tactics of these sly crimes, as they have placed many precautionary measures to lessen its occurrence. There are sensors at the front of the store to catch unscanned items. Many cameras have been setup and there’s even a staff just for viewing its material. I have noticed that many small convenient stores will display the picture of an offender if they didn’t catch them in the act but caught footage of it. Alas, however, the most heavily secured area of any store will most likely be the electronic section! And rightfully so. It costs billions of dollars to produce digital images for our entertainment. DVDs are encased with ant- theft devices. Games and systems are kept behind glass as if some type of holy grail.
In the event that you or someone you know has been charged of shoplifting for any reason, it is best to speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The right criminal defense attorney will be able to review the details of your case and build a defense in your favor regardless of the evidence against you. Due to your lack of criminal knowledge, speak with a Decatur criminal lawyer as soon as possible as to avoid making your situation any worse, or settling for a plea that is not favorable.
Thanks to Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into criminal law and shoplifting.
