Orangeburg County Shoplifting Lawyer

While many people might think shoplifting is just a specific category of theft, South Carolina state law actually sets out discrete definitions for each of these offenses. That being said, the consequences for shoplifting convictions are just as severe as those for theft convictions, and in some cases even more serious thanks to the civil penalties they can have as well.

If you have been accused of stealing merchandise from a retail store, you may need help from an Orangeburg County shoplifting lawyer if you want to effectively protect your best interests. A defense attorney who knows how to handle cases like yours could lend their expertise to your case defense and significantly boost your chances of a favorable outcome in court.

Criminal Shoplifting Charges and Consequences

According to the definition established in South Carolina Code of Laws §16-13-110, various actions could constitute unlawful “shoplifting” of retail goods, including taking merchandise out of a store without paying for it, transferring merchandise into another container within a store, and altering or switching price tags on merchandise inside a store. S.C. Code §16-13-120 establishes a rebuttable presumption that anyone who willfully conceals unpurchased merchandise inside a store intends to shoplift it.

Regardless of the specific act involved, ensuing shoplifting charges vary in severity based on the dollar value of the items allegedly taken. If the total value of merchandise involved in an act of shoplifting does not exceed $2,000, a defendant may face charges for a misdemeanor offense, meaning the maximum criminal penalties they could face upon conviction would be a 30-day jail sentence and a fine of $1,000.

Shoplifting between $2,000 and $10,000 worth of merchandise is also punishable by a $1,000 fine, but since this offense is considered a felony, the maximum sentence of imprisonment is extended to five years in prison. Finally, a person who allegedly shoplifts more than $10,000 of retail merchandise may face a maximum of 10 years in prison if they are convicted in criminal court, making representation from a skilled Orangeburg County shoplifting attorney especially crucial to mitigating possible sanctions.

Civil Penalties for Shoplifting Convictions

In addition to criminal sanctions, individuals convicted on shoplifting charges in South Carolina may also be subject to civil litigation from the owners or operators of the store they took merchandise from. Through a successful claim, the owner of shoplifted property may be able to hold a shoplifter financially accountable for the full value of the property taken, plus an additional penalty of either $150 or three times the stolen property’s value up to a maximum penalty of $500.

These cases would proceed separately from associated criminal trials, and an alleged shoplifter may be civilly liable for the cost of the property they allegedly took even if that property ends up returned to its owner in an undamaged and saleable condition. A shoplifting lawyer in Orangeburg County could offer further guidance about how civil shoplifting lawsuits may function and progress through the court system.

An Orangeburg County Shoplifting Attorney Could Help

Both retail store owners and law enforcement authorities take shoplifting extremely seriously, so allegations of shoplifting very often progress to criminal court. On top of that, state law makes no distinction between items worth a few dollars and expensive products worth up to $2,000 when it comes to shoplifting charges, so individuals facing these accusations may face criminal charges of equal severity in either situation.

In light of these and various other factors, retaining an Orangeburg County shoplifting lawyer should be a high priority if you are charged with stealing or moving something from a retail store. Call today to schedule a meeting.