Theft and Shoplifting in Georgia
Criminal Lawyer Augusta GA
The legal definition of shoplifting differs from state to state, but usually refers to the theft of property which is worth less than $500 and which occurs with the intent to deprive the owner of that piece of property.
Shoplifting is the theft of goods from a retail establishment either by sneaking it out of the store or by altering or switching the tags on an item in order to pay less. If the total value of the goods is less than $300 it is a misdemeanor. It is a felony if the total value exceeds $300. In Georgia, the law allows the store owner or employee to detain a person suspected of shoplifting till the police arrive. The law however does not permit them to conduct a physical search of the suspect.
Prior convictions can affect the outcome of a case. If you have a prior conviction for felony, you will be sentenced to the maximum penalty on the second conviction. Conviction on other states including probated sentence will be counted as prior conviction. Georgia has the three strikes law. Under the three strikes law, any felony can constitute a third strike and thus may subject a defendant to a term of 25 years to life in prison. After a second felony conviction, and offenders sentence is double what a single felony conviction would demand. Three-strikes is applied after the third conviction, with an uncommonly severe penalty of 25 years to life.
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