Shoplifting is a relatively common crime. Accusations can be leveled against both adults and juvenile offenders. There are a wide range of potential penalties, and they often depend on the value of the products that were allegedly stolen.
That said, shoplifting can happen in very different ways. It is important for people to understand what these situations look like, especially if they are facing criminal charges.
Hiding items and failing to pay
The most common type of shoplifting, of course, is simply leaving a store without paying for items in a person’s possession. Someone may take cosmetic items and hide them in a pocket, for example, or attempt to conceal clothing under a coat.
Switching tags
Another common issue is switching the price tags on items to try to get a lower price. For instance, someone takes a video game that costs $69.99 and swaps the price tag with one from a different video game that costs only $19.99. They hope that the cashier will not notice and will simply scan the lower-priced tag. Even though they are paying something, they can still be accused of shoplifting.
Ringing up other items
Now that self-checkout lanes are common, another type of shoplifting involves scanning a less expensive item in place of a more expensive one. This sometimes happens with groceries. Someone may have a relatively expensive food, such as steak or shrimp, but hold it next to a less expensive item, such as ramen noodles, and scan the lower-priced item instead.
In all three of these situations, the person involved could face serious theft and shoplifting charges. It is important for anyone facing these allegations to understand their legal defense options.