Shoplifting charges
· Charges of theft can be obtained not only in the case of non-paid take-out of goods from the store. Shoplifting also includes the replacement of price tags, payment at a reduced price, and fake price tags.
· Returning stolen goods to a store in order to obtain monetary rewards is also a crime and leads to legal liability.
· It is a common practice to use goods directly within the store itself. Usually, this kind of crime is not too expensive loss for store owners, but it still takes place.
· Some stores have their own restrictions on payment for goods due to their large size. For example, taking goods from one floor without payment to another can also be a crime.
· Having discovered a special shoplifting devices by a suspect, the severity of the crime may increase to a criminal case. Professional thieves can use booster bags, detachers, and jammers.
Responsibility on the part of store employees
North Carolina shoplifting laws state that guards or store employees are not civilly liable in certain cases when a suspected thief is caught. First, if the guard has reason to believe that the person in question has committed a crime. But it should be borne in mind that the form of detention must be with the preservation of decent behavior. In addition, the employee can conduct the detention in the store premises or in a reasonable area from the store. It is important to detain the suspect for a reasonable time. According to the store's policy, if an agreement with the criminal is not possible or there is no such decision, the police must be notified.
Punishment under North Carolina shoplifting laws
· If the thief has a first conviction, he is charged with third degree misdemeanor. It is possible to avoid jail time, but the defendant is required to complete at least 24 hours of community service.
· If the crime is committed a second time, within three years from the date of the first sentence, the shoplifter receives a second-degree offense. The defendant is imprisoned for at least 72 hours. This is a condition of a special probationary period. Or 72 hours of community service. It may be necessary to carry out both punishments. In any case, 72 hours is the minimum required for such a crime.
· In the case of a third or subsequent offense within five years, the offense is considered a first-degree offense. The term of imprisonment may be suspended on the condition of a special probationary period. The minimum sentence is 11 days of imprisonment. Community service in this offense is no longer possible.
Civil shoplifting fines in North Carolina
The offense is not limited to criminal punishment. The person who committed shoplifting in North Carolina can be brought to civil liability to the store owner. The total amount of compensation must be at least $ 150 and no more than $ 1000. Compensation will be required for subsequent losses:
· Actual losses. They include the value of the item or any damage to the stolen item.
· Punitive damages. This legal compensation to be paid in excess of damages.
· Reimbursement of the amount to the owners for filing a claim in court.
Charge for concealment of goods
Under the shoplifting laws in North Carolina, a person hiding an item is charged with a theft crime. Even if a person hides an item in his pocket or bag and still hasn't left the store. Concealment of goods is considered a third-degree offense. The maximum prison sentence is up to 30 days, but a lawyer can suspend the sentence if the defendant successfully completes community service hours.
Confiscation of vehicles
North Carolina shoplifting law has the following specification for theft of property worth more than $ 2,000. If a thief used any vehicle to commit a crime, the state has the right to confiscate the vehicle in accordance with the law. This applies to any vehicle.
