Mississippi Criminal and Family Law BlogNot all crimes are created equally, but they can all potentially result in serious consequences for an offender, including fines, probation, jail time, and a criminal record. Shoplifting is one of those crimes that people often view as a minor, non-violent criminal offense. Stealing a snack from a convenience store may not be thought of on the same level as robbery, but it can result in the offender having to deal with extreme consequences in the state of Mississippi.
Mississippi Shoplifting Laws
Before we get into the potential consequences of shoplifting, let’s define what it means.
Shoplifting in Mississippi includes any of the following actions with the intent of depriving the merchant of the merchandise’s full retail value:
– Intentionally taking possession of merchandise without paying for it
– Concealing merchandise in a retail establishment
– Altering or changing price tags
– Moving merchandise into different containers
– Removing a shopping cart from the premises of the store
In Mississippi, a merchant can detain a suspected shoplifter in a reasonable manner, for a reasonable amount of time, and law enforcement can arrest a suspected shoplifter without a warrant if they have probable cause.
Mississippi Shoplifting Criminal Penalties
A person convicted of shoplifting merchandise for which the merchant’s stated price is less than or equal to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) shall be punished as follows:
(a) Upon a first shoplifting conviction the offender can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or punished by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed six (6) months, or by both if the court finds substantial and compelling reasons why the offender cannot be safely and effectively supervised in the community, is not amenable to community-based treatment, or poses a significant risk to public safety. If such a finding is not made, the court shall suspend the sentence of imprisonment and impose a period of probation not exceeding one (1) year or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
(b) Upon a second shoplifting conviction the offender can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed six (6) months, or by both if the court finds substantial and compelling reasons why the offender cannot be safely and effectively supervised in the community, is not amenable to community-based treatment, or poses a significant risk to public safety. If such a finding is not made, the court shall suspend the sentence of imprisonment and impose a period of probation not exceeding one (1) year or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.
(6) Upon a third or subsequent shoplifting conviction where the value of the shoplifted merchandise is not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or greater than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), the defendant shall be guilty of a felony and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisoned for a term not exceeding three (3) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
What should an Offender do if they are being Charged with Shoplifting?
If you have been searching the Mississippi area for a qualified, experienced criminal defense attorney, look no further than Vic Carmody Jr., P.A. Over the years, we have helped numerous offenders pursue favorable outcomes. Although being accused of shoplifting is not a pleasant experience, there are many potential defense strategies that can be used to defend and reduce the charges against an offender. Call/contact us today for your consultation to learn more.
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