How long after shoplifting can a person be prosecuted?

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asked Dec 2, 2021 in Law Enforcement/Police by ooo1mate (1,030 points)
How long after shoplifting can a person be prosecuted?

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answered Dec 2, 2021 by Jasire (26,200 points)
A person has up to 2 years to prosecute someone for shoplifting or other misdemeanor crimes.

The time limit for prosecuting or charging someone with a crime is known as the statute of limitation.

The statute of limitations is the amount of time after a criminal offense occurs that it is still possible to make an arrest.

The statute of limitations for shoplifting varies based on the value of the merchandise stolen.

For misdemeanor cases of theft, the statute is two years after the commission of the crime.

Petty Theft charges don't usually show up on a criminal background check unless you've been convicted for the petty theft.

Generally petty theft charges don't show up on a criminal background check.

Examples include petty offenses such as traffic tickets, littering and disturbing the peace.

Misdemeanors are criminal offenses, leading to less than one year of jail time.

The length of probation for petty theft is between 6 months to 12 months of probation.

Although it depends on the state and their laws and it could be up to 2 to 4 years probation but in most cases it's 12 months of probation or less.

What happens if you get charged with petty theft depends on whether or not you have any past criminal history or if it's your first offense with petty theft.

You could get jail time, probation, fines or both.

What happens in court for a petty theft charge is the judge will look over your case and then they will decide on your punishment and look into your past criminal history.

If you have no prior criminal history or it's your first offense then you may just get a fine or may get a fine and probation or probation.

In addition to possible criminal penalties, a shoplifter can be held civilly liable to the store owner for the following:

    If the merchandise is not returned in a sellable condition, a civil penalty equal to twice the retail cost or $50.00, whichever is greater, up to a maximum of $500.00
    If the merchandise is returned in a sellable condition, a civil penalty of $50.00 or 50% of the retail cost, whichever is greater, up to a maximum of $350.00 (the maximum is $50.00 if the offender is a minor), and
    the store owner's reasonable attorneys' fees and costs (unless the case stays in small claims court).

Depending on the circumstances, if this is a first offense, punishment may be as lenient as a diversion program, probation, or community service.

However, since petty theft is at least a misdemeanor, it can also be punishable by a fine and up to one year in jail.

Most petty theft convictions will fall under a state's misdemeanor laws, which typically carry a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail (although some state's misdemeanors carry up to two or three-year jail sentences).

The difference between petty theft and grand theft is in the value of the goods you've stolen.

Petty theft is when you steal something or things that are of value of $950.00 or less but when you steal items or goods valued higher than $950.00 then it becomes grand theft and is usually a felony in most states as well.

Petty theft is a less serious crime than regular theft.

Although still petty theft is serious and you can get 6 months in jail for the petty theft if convicted although in most cases a person gets probation.

The law defines petty theft as the theft of any property with a value of $950.00 or less.

Most petty thefts are charged as misdemeanors, which carry a sentence of up to six months in county jail, a fine of no more than $1,000.00, or both.  

Petty theft refers to a criminal act in which property belonging to another is taken without that person's consent.

Larceny generally refers to nonviolent theft and is usually a misdemeanor.

Punishment for petty theft runs the gamut, from probation to life in prison.

For first time offenders, petty theft is often a misdemeanor.

However, since petty theft is at least a misdemeanor, it can also be punishable by a fine and up to one year in jail.

Some common examples of petty theft include: Stealing a shirt from a store at the mall; Leaving a restaurant without paying for you meal (frequently referred to as “dining and dashing”);

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