RETAIL THEFT AND SHOPLIFTING

What is it? Retail Theft, common referred to as Shoplifting, is when property is taken from a commerical store without the true owner's consent..

What makes it illegal?  The Texas Criminal Penal Code Sec. 31.03.  THEFT indicates that a person commits an offense if he unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of property.

What are the Punishments? For individuals arrested for RETAIL THEFT or THEFT, the penalty is dependant on the value of property stolen. If the value of the property stolen is less than $50 the offense is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by fines. If the value of the property stolen is $50 or more but less than $500, the offense is a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of six months in county jail, plus fines. The Theft is a Class A misdemeanor is if the value of the property stolen is $500 or more but less than $1,500.

Common Criminal Cases Involving Theft Arrests: The most common Shoplifting cases and shoplifting arrests involve stealing clothing, shoes, video games, and other small items from retail stores.

TEXAS PENAL CODE, TITLE 7. CHAPTER 31. THEFT

Sec. 31.03.  THEFT.  (a)  A person commits an offense if he unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of property. (b)  Appropriation of property is unlawful if: (1)  it is without the owner's effective consent; (2)  the property is stolen and the actor appropriates the property knowing it was stolen by another; or (3)  property in the custody of any law enforcement agency was explicitly represented by any law enforcement agent to the actor as being stolen and the actor appropriates the property believing it was stolen by another.

Read the Full Penal Code Section

 

 

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