Punishment for Shoplifting in Orlando

Theft and shoplifting in any form is considered equal to stealing and taken very seriously in Orlando and the state of Florida. The penalties and charges for shoplifting depend on several factors such as the criminal background of the shoplifter and the value of goods stolen. A lot of businesses and shop owners pursue shoplifting very seriously, and you will need professional help if you find yourself in such a situation. Your criminal defense attorney can help get the charges dropped, reduced or find out if you are eligible for a diversion program.

Popular Stolen Items

You will be surprised to know the common preference some shoplifters have when it comes to stealing. Since the shoplifter has to steal items in order to sell them and make money, the stolen items are usually small in size, are commonly used, such as necessities and are expensive. Items which fall in this category include:

Baby Formula – Baby formula is expensive and has a high resale value. Most parents simply cannot afford formula milk which their baby needs, so shoplifters can sell it to them at a lower price. It is also possible that shoplifters target powdered baby formula as it weakens the strength of drugs like heroin and cocaine, so they sell it to drug addicts.

Razor Blades – Razor blades and their refill cartridges are also popular among shoplifters. Razors are small and easy to hide and they also have a high resale value. Gillette is the most popular brand when it comes to shoplifting.

Expensive Meat – Items like steaks, lamb chops and fish are at the top of the list of most shoplifted items. You might think that a hungry shoplifter might try to steal meat to have a meal, but that is not the case. Cuts of meat have a high resale value and are also a common item which people consume.

A lot of store owners implant anti-security devices under the price tags of items which are common target for shoplifters. This allows them to catch thieves who try to run away with items from the store.

Consequences of theft charge in Orlando

If you are convicted of theft in the state of Florida, you will have to face various penalties which can range from felony to misdemeanor. If you are convicted of theft in Florida, the judge can also order the suspension of your drivers license. Apart from this, the shoplifting charges vary, depending on the value of the items stolen.

• If the shoplifting items have a value less than $100, it is considered a petit theft in the second degree. This charge is a misdemeanor and can have a sentence of up to 60 days.
• If the value of the stolen items is between $100 and $300, it is considered a petit theft in the first degree. This charge is also a misdemeanor and can have a sentence of up to 364 days.
• Lastly, if the value of the stolen items is between $300 and $5,000, it is considered a grand theft in the third degree. This charge is a felony and can have up to 5 years of jail sentence.

The judge may also order the shoplifter to take a shoplifting/petty theft rehabilitation course if the theft occurred in Orlando, Florida. These classes are offered by the Florida Safety Council in Orlando and are aimed at reducing a person’s chances of becoming a repeat shoplifter through stress management and impulse control.