We all know someone who has been accused of “Shoplifting”. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they smuggled something out of the store without paying, or that they were necessarily accused of just shoplifting. Georgia law explains that there is a lot of ways to be accused, and some of them you may not be aware of. Other states have different guidelines, so be sure to check out the particulars for your state.
Thus, I bring you a short list of things you probably didn’t know about shoplifting in Georgia, but should:
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YOU DON’T HAVE TO STEAL SOMETHING OUT OF THE STORE TO SHOPLIFT.
Georgia Law says that you don’t even have to take the item out of the store without paying for it. You could carry it around with you and never make it outside of the store nor make any attempt to leave the store before getting “caught” shoplifting. There are many ways to be convicted or accused of shoplifting even when you pay for the item (see below).
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IF YOU CONCEAL OR “TAKE POSSESSION” OF THE GOOD OR MERCHANDISE, YOU COULD BE CONVICTED OF SHOPLIFTING.
Even if you don’t leave the store, by merely concealing the store item, a case against you could be brought against you if caught.
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IF YOU PEEL OFF THE PRICE TAG STICKER … YOU COULD BE ACCUSED OF SHOPLIFTING.
Altering the price tag or other price marking on goods or merchandise of any store or retail establishment can get you accused of being a shoplifter.
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IF YOU THINK THAT DETERGENT IS TOO LOW, AND YOU TRANSFER A LITTLE OF DETERGENT FROM ONE CONTAINER TO THE ONE YOU INTEND TO PURCHASE… (YOU GUESSED IT – ) SHOPLIFTER.
Transferring the goods or merchandise of any store or retail establishment from one container to another can be considered shoplifting
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CHANGING A PRICE TAG FROM ONE ITEM TO ANOTHER, EVEN IF ITS SIMILAR… CAN BE SHOPLIFTING.
A person interchanging the label or price tag from one item of merchandise with a label or price tag for another item of merchandise may be a reason to investigate you.
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IF YOU TELL THE CASHIER THE ITEM IS ON SALE AND YOU WANT A LOWER PRICE… WHEN IT REALLY WASN’T IT CAN STILL BE A THEFT CRIME.
A person who wrongfully causes the amount paid to be less than the merchant’s stated price for the merchandise can easily be accused of shoplifting.
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SHOPLIFTING CAN BE A MISDEMEANOR… OR A FELONY.
Shoplifting in Georgia can either be a Felony or a Misdemeanor; it simply depends on the facts of the case. A fact that is always considered is the value of the items stolen. Another fact is if you have been convicted of shoplifting before at any time.
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YOU MAY NOT BE ACCUSED OF THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING… BUT YOU MAY BE ACCUSED OF A DIFFERENT THEFT LAW.
There’s nine different types of “Theft” defined in Georgia law in the stature. The Georgia shoplifting law statutes are as follows:
- O.C.G.A. § 16-8-14 THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING,
- O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2 THEFT BY TAKING,
- O.C.G.A. § 16-8-3 THEFT BY DECEPTION,
- O.C.G.A. § 16-8-4 THEFT BY CONVERSION,
- O.C.G.A. § 16-8-5 THEFT OF SERVICES,
- O.C.G.A. § 16-8-7 THEFT OF LOST OR MISLAID PROPERTY,
- O.C.G.A. § 16-8-8 THEFT BY RECEIVING PROPERTY STOLEN IN ANOTHER STATE,
- O.C.G.A. § 16-8-9 THEFT BY BRINGING STOLEN PROPERTY INTO THE STATE, and
- O.C.G.A. § 16-8-16 THEFT BY EXTORTION.
