Definition of shoplifting
It is not only the act of taking goods out of the store that is considered theft. The Michigan shoplifting law also considers theft to replace price tags for goods, conceal goods, and purchase stolen items. Any offense can be subject to criminal liability, imprisonment and fines. Most theft crimes are subject to Michigan shoplifting laws. The consequences of theft range from misdemeanor sentences to more serious felony charges.
Property value and fines ratio
Your future sentence and fines will largely depend on the value of the stolen item.
· If the value of the stolen property is estimated at less than $ 200, it is a misdemeanor. The punishment for this crime will be up to 93 days in prison and fines of up to $ 500 or three times the value of the stolen property.
· The offender will be charged with misdemeanor if the value of the stolen property is more than $ 200 but less than $ 1000. The punishment includes up to 1 year in prison and fines of up to $ 2,000 or three times the value of stolen property.
· If the stolen property is valued at more than $ 1,000 and less than $ 20,000, the thief will be charged with a serious felony. The punishment will be a prison term of up to 5 years and fines of up to $ 10,000 or three times the value of the stolen property.
· In the event that the value of the stolen property is more than $ 20,000, the offender will be punished with up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $ 15,000 or three times the value of the stolen property.
Civil liability for shoplifting in Michigan
In addition to criminal penalties, the perpetrator also has civil liability to the store owner. He is obliged to compensate the full retail value of the stolen property if it was not returned or if it was given back in a condition, in which it could be resold. In addition, the perpetrator will be held liable for civil damages up to ten times the retail price of the property in the amount of at least $ 50 and no more than $ 200.
Previous convictions
Under Michigan shoplifting law, the offender is subject to more severe penalties if he has previously been convicted of one or more theft offenses in Michigan or elsewhere. In such a case, the penalty may be increased to the next more serious crime of theft. For example, if a person is charged with stealing property worth less than $ 200, but has a previous conviction for theft, he faces a sentence of up to one year in prison or a fine of up to $ 2,000 or three times the value of the stolen property.
Shoplifting equipment
If you commit theft with special shoplifting equipment, if caught, punishment will be more difficult to avoid. It is important that store employees do not find it during a personal search. Professional thieves use only proven and high quality camouflage devices. Then the probability of being caught is reduced to a minimum. We recommend using products from the manufacturer Bombastershop. Make orders only on the official website bombaster.shop.
