Shoplifting is a serious matter in South Carolina, and not filing or pressing charges against offenders is not something that most retailers
are likely to do. Large or small, most stores in the Palmetto State want to send a strong message to future offenders by prosecuting
shoplifters to the fullest extent of the law. Shoplifting is considered a crime of moral turpitude, a legal term meaning the person’s conduct
is dishonest and inherently immoral. If you are
charged with a shoplifting offense
, it will stay on your record permanently, reflecting poorly on you and your character, causing potential problems in seeking employment or
passing any kind of background check. Don’t hesitate to contact an attorney immediately for help fighting these charges.
South Carolina Laws Against Shoplifting
Jump Ahead To
Under the South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 16-13-110, the following are
actions that may constitute shoplifting
and warrant charges being filed:
- Taking items off the property without paying for them;
- Moving items from one location in a store to another;
- Concealing items offered for sale;
- Switching or removing tags or placing altered labels on merchandise; and
- Aiding someone in doing any of the above.
Under the law, shoplifting may be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the items in question.
Penalties for Shoplifting in South Carolina
If you are convicted of shoplifting in South Carolina, you face the following penalties:
For shoplifted merchandise valued at $2,000 or less:
- Misdemeanor charges, in either Municipal or Magistrates Court
- Fines up to $1,000 and/or up to 24 hours in jail
For shoplifted merchandise valued between $2,000 and $10,000:
- Felony conviction
- Fines up to $1,000 and/or jail time up to 5 years
For shoplifted merchandise valued over $10,000
- Felony conviction
- Imprisonment up to 10 years
These penalties may increase, depending on the number of prior convictions.
Help For First Time Offenders
First time offenders charged with shoplifting may be eligible for the
pre-trial intervention program
(PTI). The PTI program is available through the Solicitor’s Office, and allows first-time offenders the opportunity to get their criminal
charges dismissed and expunged from their record. In order to be recommended to the PTI program, the applicant must be shown to have no prior
convictions, and there has to be a strong likelihood that, if given PTI, they will engage in no further criminal behavior. PTI is a way for
people who made a bad decision to get a second chance; a one shot deal to get your record cleared. If you’re a first-time offender, speak to
your attorney to see if you might be a candidate for PTI.
Contact Our Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Shoplifting is a serious charge which can have a permanent, negative impact on your future. If you’ve been accused of shoplifting, contact an
experienced
Greenville SC criminal defense attorney
right away. Greenville attorney Lauren M. Taylor has experience handling criminal matters such as shoplifting, and can strategize the best
course of defense in your particular case, as well as recommend any options, such as PTI, which might be available. Don’t delay in getting the
strong legal representation you need.
South Carolina divorce attorney Lauren Taylor practices family law in Charleston and Greenville. She graduated from the Charlotte
School of Law, and has been practicing for more than ten years.
Since the firm’s inception in 2012, Mrs. Taylor has helped hundreds of people navigate the uncertainties surrounding the family and
criminal court process.
She has cultivated a team that ensures each case has a strategy crafted specifically to the clients needs and desires.
Her commitment to top notch service has led her to open two additional offices in the low country where she now resides with her
husband Michael and her golden retriever, Buster.