Submit your Criminal Law claim details for a free, no obligation case review.
Get Started:
When theft, be it petty or grand theft, from a commercial business occurs, the effects of shoplifting are detrimental to everyone. Negative effects of shoplifting affect business owners, business customers, and teenagers, and society as a whole. The deleterious effects of shoplifting cost United States businesses approximately sixteen billion dollars every year. About one out of every three new businesses fails because of the effects of shoplifting.
It is estimated that ninety percent of the population has committed a shoplifting crime at some point in their lives. Younger children will sometimes take things from a store because they do not understand the effects of shoplifting while others may lack self control. Teens account for fifty percent of all shoplifting cases. This population may also not fully understand the effects of shoplifting on themselves, other teens, adults, and the rest of society.
The effects of shoplifting are harmful to consumers. Stores will often be forced to increase the price of their merchandise in order to make up for the cost of stolen goods. Experts estimate that the average family will spend three hundred dollars every year to subsidize the cost of what shoplifters steal. These increased prices may discourage customers from supporting some businesses which creates even more negative effects of shoplifting.
Because teens are often the perpetrators of shoplifting offenses, teenagers can also suffer the unfavorable effects of shoplifting. Even teens who have no intention of shoplifting may be discriminated against because of the suspicion that they may intend to steal goods from a store. The effects of shoplifting may make store owners suspicious of teens and discourage them from coming into stores.
The effects of shoplifting also impel store owners to have backpack or bag check in policies, security cameras, security guards or sensory systems, and other special alarms in order to deter shoplifters and catch offenders. Many businesses will prosecute shoplifters to the full extent of the law.
When a store owner or law enforcement has reasonable cause to suspect that a person has shoplifted, they usually have the legal right to detain them. When a teen commits theft their parents will be contacted, they will have to return the items, and they probably will not be allowed to enter that store for at least a year. The effects of shoplifting on teens may also include legal implications.
The legal effects of shoplifting vary by state and circumstance. The penalties for shoplifting often depend on the value of the merchandise stolen, and any prior history of shoplifting. The legal effects of shoplifting on a person who is convicted of this misdemeanor or felony crime can include jail or prison time, fines which are often far greater than the amount stolen, and community service. If you would like to learn more about the effects of shoplifting you may wish to contact an experienced attorney.