Columbia, SC, Shoplifting Defense Attorney
Shoplifting charges are exceptionally common in South Carolina, and all it takes is picking up a small item in the grocery store and absent-mindedly putting it in your pocket while you go about your shopping. The consequences of a shoplifting conviction are serious, and if you’re facing such a charge, you need the trusted legal counsel of an experienced Columbia, South Carolina, shoplifting attorney in your corner.
The Crime of Shoplifting
The crime of shoplifting in South Carolina requires that the prosecution prove the accused intended to deprive the merchant or store of the item’s full retail value.
Shoplifting can take three distinct forms that include each of the following:
- Taking possession of an item in a store with the intention of removing it without paying for it or of not paying the full retail price for the item
- Altering, transferring, or removing an item’s label or price tag with the intention of not paying the full retail price for it
- Transferring an item from its original container into another container with the intention of not paying the full retail price for it
It’s important to note that you don’t have to actually steal something to be charged with shoplifting in South Carolina. If the law infers that you were attempting to shoplift, it can lead to a charge, and any one of the following will suffice:
- If you are found to have concealed merchandise, the officer can presume that you didn’t intend to pay for it.
- If an item is found hidden on you or in your belongings, it can be considered willful concealment, and the same presumption – that you didn’t intend to pay for the item – can apply.
- If an item is determined to be hidden on another person, such as your child, it can translate to a presumption that you didn’t intend to pay for it.
The Penalties
The shoplifting charge you face will hinge on the value of the item or items you’re accused of stealing, and it breaks down as follows:
- If the total value of the items is less than $2,000, it’s a misdemeanor that carries fines of up to $2,000 and a jail sentence of up to 30 days.
- If the total value of the items is from $2,000 to $10,000, it’s a felony that carries fines of up to $1,000 and a prison sentence of up to 5 years.
- If the total value of the items is $10,000 or more, it’s a felony that carries up to 10 years in prison.
- If you are charged with a third offense property crime, the punishment, no matter the value, can change to up to 10 years.
Don’t let a shoplifting charge mar your record – even if you aren’t ultimately convicted – which makes consulting with a seasoned shoplifting attorney in your best interest.
An Experienced Columbia, South Carolina, Shoplifting Defense Attorney Can Help
The focused Columbia shoplifting attorneys at Sharpe & Leventis appreciate the significance a shoplifting conviction can have in your life and will spare no effort to resolve the matter as favorably as possible. We’re on your side, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 803-830-6296 for more information about what we can do to help you today.