Title: What Is Shoplifting? How Is Shoplifting Charged? | CriminalDefenseLawyer.com
Headings: Shoplifting Laws
Shoplifting Laws
Shoplifting offenses are fairly common but that doesn't make the consequences any less serious. A person who shoplifts can face both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.
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What Is Shoplifting?
How Shoplifting Is Charged and Punished
Shoplifting “Sprees” and Retail Theft Rings
Civil Liability for Shoplifting
Criminal vs. Civil Court
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State-by-State Shoplifting Laws

Content: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, §§ 30, 30A (2020).) As the dollar value of the stolen merchandise increases, so does the seriousness of the criminal charge that will result from a shoplifting offense. Penalties might start as infractions (in some states) and increase to misdemeanors or felonies. Each state uses different thresholds (dollar amounts) to classify offense levels. Shoplifting “Sprees” and Retail Theft Rings
In many states, a person accused of committing a shoplifting offense will be charged with a more serious crime (and/or face a stiffer punishment), if evidence exists that the offense was part of a shoplifting “spree” or organized series of thefts from retail establishments. Some states call these schemes “retail theft rings” or "organized retail theft," especially when they include the illegal resale of the stolen items. Generally, these types of crimes are felonies. Civil Liability for Shoplifting
In addition to any criminal penalties stemming from a shoplifting offense, every state has a civil law under which any person who commits shoplifting can be held civilly liable to the store owner (or the owner of the merchandise) for money damages stemming from the incident. And, in almost every state, the parent or legal guardian of a minor who commits shoplifting may also be on the hook for money damages (although a few states require that the parent or guardian knew or should have known of the minor's proclivity toward shoplifting).