One of the most common crimes in Ohio—especially during the holiday season—is shoplifting. This type of theft crime often involves stealing merchandise from retail stores.
When a person gets caught shoplifting in the state, one of the following things can happen:
- A warning is issued—with permission to leave
- Obligation to fill out paperwork
- Banned from the store or mall
- The police are alerted, which can lead to an arrest—depending on how much was stolen
Ohio doesn’t have a separate law for shoplifting. Instead, retail theft is punished under the state’s theft laws, which means the criminal penalties for this offense depends on the value of the stolen item.
For example, if the merchandise stolen is valued at less than $1,000, the shoplifting offense is a first-degree misdemeanor that is punishable by a maximum 180-day jail sentence, probation, a fine no more than $1,000 (not including court costs), community service, and/or even restitution to the store owner. Stealing anything worth more than $1,000 is considered a felony offense.
Shoplifting felonies include the following, based on the value of the stolen item(s):
- Property worth more than $1,000 but less than $7,500 – A fifth-degree felony that carries a prison term of up to 12 months and/or a fine not exceeding $2,500.
- Property worth $7,500 but less than $150,000 – A fourth-degree felony that results in a maximum 18-month prison sentence and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
- Property worth $150,000 but less than $750,000 – A third-degree felony that leads to a prison term of up to five years and/or a fine no more than $10,000.
- Property worth $750,000 but less than $1,500,000 – A second-degree felony that is punishable by a maximum prison term of eight years and/or a fine of up to $15,000.
- Property worth $1,500,000 or more – A first-degree felony that carries a maximum prison term of up to 10 years and/or a maximum $20,000 fine.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for shoplifting in Columbus or in the surrounding area, contact Andy Callif Bail Bonds today at (614) 945-4334 to let us bail you out. We are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week to help you when you need it.