What makes shoplifting a Felony?

Raleigh Unlawful Concealment (Shoplifting) Attorney

What makes shoplifting a Felony?

If you go into a store, pick up an item and hide it about your person, then you have committed the crime of misdemeanor Unlawful Concealment. Concealing store property includes putting an item inside your pocket, purse, bag, baby stroller, etc. You don't have to exit the store or even walk past the line of cash registers. All you have to do is hide the item from view. If you go into a store, pick up an item, and take it past the line of cash registers without paying for it, then you have committed a Larceny. If the property value is less than $1,000, the crime is misdemeanor Larceny. If the property value is more than $1,000, the crime is felony Larceny. You don't have to take the item outside of the store to be convicted of Larceny. You just have to take the item past the ‚ point of purchase‚ usually defined as the line of cash registers. Other factors can elevate a misdemeanor Larceny to a felony. If an employee steels anything from an employer, the crime is a felony because it violates the special trust relationship between an employer and employee. The value of the property taken is irrelevant if you are an employee. Similarly, if you remove any electronic theft deterrent device from the property, the crime is felony larceny even if the property value is less than $1,000. While shoplifting something worth less than $1,000 is a misdemeanor, selling that stolen item to someone else is a felony. Felony False Pretense includes the crime of selling something you don't own in return for receiving something of value. Selling a stolen $50 video game to a pawnshop in exchange for cash or merchandise is a felony because you falsely represent that you own the game. Pawnshops and other retailers keep detailed records of every purchase and share this information with the police to avoid being charged with knowingly participating in the resale of stolen property. Officers send lists of recently stolen property to pawnshops on a weekly basis. Don't pawn something as a favor for a friend because you can be charged with a felony.

5 Rules to Follow When an Officer Approaches You.

1. Say, ‚ CAN I LEAVE?‚ If the officer says yes, then GO. 2. DO NOT talk to the officer. You may give him your name, address, telephone number and date of birth only. 3. Say ‚ I WANT TO SPEAK TO A LAWYER‚ to stop the officer from questioning you. 4. DO NOT consent when the officer asks you for permission to search your property. 5. Hire an Attorney who SPECIALIZES in criminal defense. Get help from your Raleigh criminal defense attorney today!  

Please contact Raleigh NC Attorney Andrew McCoppin with any questions:

877-481-0011

andrew@mccoppinlaw.com

www.mccoppinlaw.com

Over 20 years experience defending people in North Carolina's State and Federal Courts.

Board Certified Specialist in North Carolina Criminal Law

Board Certified Specialist in Federal Criminal Law

Former Wake County Assistant District Attorney