Walk It Through: The Shoplifting Stop
A young adult walks out with earbuds, a first offense under $500, and what a repeat would bring.
A young adult leaves a store with a pair of earbuds in a pocket and is stopped at the door.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
A shoplifting stop by an adult. Juvenile court, a civil demand letter from the store, and theft above $500 are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- ArrestTaking a person into custody in the manner the law authorizes, so the person can answer for an offense.
- MagistrateThe judicial officer before whom someone arrested without a warrant is taken without unnecessary delay, and where the complaint is made.
- Class A misdemeanorThe higher misdemeanor class, carrying up to 360 days and a $3,000 fine.
- Class B misdemeanorThe lower misdemeanor class, carrying up to 30 days and a $1,500 fine.
- Class C felonyThe lowest felony class, carrying up to 5 years and a $10,000 fine.