What should you do if you accidentally shoplift?

You didn’t shoplift if you didn’t mean to do it. It was a mistake. Just go back to the store and speak to customer service.

What do you do if you accidentally steal from Walmart?

Although the store could drop petty theft charges, Walmart doesn’t budge. Most people, especially first-time offenders, are then sentenced to probation and have to pay fines. However, you can go to jail up to a year for petty theft. Petty theft charges also show up on background check.

What is it called when you accidentally steal something?

Accidental shoplifting refers to a person stealing merchandise without having the intention of depriving the owner of the store of that merchandise. If taking property by mistake or accident, a person is not guilty of theft or shoplifting.

What happens if you steal something?

Other Theft Penalties Property valued from $500 to $1,000, could face a fine up to $3,000 and one year in jail. Property valued from $1,000 to $5,000, could face a fine up to $10,000 and five years in jail. Property valued more than $5,000, could face a fine up to $20,000 and ten years in jail.

How do you defend a theft case?

Assuming that a theft did actually happen, several typical defenses can be used.

1. Claim of Right. A person accused of stealing property can have a valid defense if they can establish they had a good faith belief the property was theirs to begin with.
2. Drunk.
3. Return of Property.
4. Entrapment.
5. Get a Lawyer.
6. The Takeaway.

Can you return something if you stole it?

Attempting to return a stolen item is highly illegal and could place you in jail.

Is it possible for a customer to steal something from a store?

If a customer is buying a larger amount of items, its entirely possible to miss one or two of them, pay for what scanned and walk out of the store with stolen items. It isn’t technically theft, as they didn’t actually intend to steal the property, but sometimes they are still charged with it.

Can you be charged for leaving a store without paying?

Only the alleged offender knows of his or her own intent, making it almost to prove the incident was an accident or a mistake. Ultimately, whether you meant to pay or not, if you attempt to leave a store with unpaid merchandise and are caught, you will likely be criminally charged.

What happens if you leave a store with unpaid merchandise?

Ultimately, whether you meant to pay or not, if you attempt to leave a store with unpaid merchandise and are caught, you will likely be criminally charged. For this reason, it is wise to hire an attorney who has experience handling complex criminal defense cases .

Is it theft if the person doesn’t actually steal the property?

It isn’t technically theft, as they didn’t actually intend to steal the property, but sometimes they are still charged with it. Generally speaking, we call it a mistake and the prosecution sees the light at the end of discussions.