New York offers a wide range of shopping options for consumers. With that in mind, it should be no surprise that eager customers wanting to get their hands on the best merchandise for the best deals often resort to shoplifting. When people steal from stores, they cause harm to the businesses that sell those items, as merchants rely on selling such products. Shoplifting can lead to significant financial losses for business owners. Therefore, law enforcement officials take strong action to combat this theft by imposing both criminal and civil penalties. If you have been accused of shoplifting, it’s in your best interest to contact our proficient Garden City, NY, Larceny Lawyers, who can effectively defend your rights and interests. Please continue reading to learn about the potential penalties for shoplifting in New York.
What Are the Potential Penalties for Shoplifting in New York?
Firstly, shoplifting is a type of theft, also known as larceny. This crime occurs when a person “wrongfully takes, obtains, or withholds the property of another person or entity with the intent to deprive that person or entity of the property.” Like many other states, shoplifting charges in New York are based on the value of the stolen items. This means the greater the value of the item stolen, the more severe your penalties.
- Class A misdemeanor: If the property stolen was valued at $1,000 or less, it’s classified as petit larceny. This offense is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail.
- Class E felony: If the property stolen was valued between $1,000 and $3,000, it’s classified as grand larceny in the fourth degree. This offense is punishable by up to 4 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000 or double your gain, depending on which is more significant.
- Class D felony: If the property stolen was valued between $3,000 and $50,000, it’s classified as grand larceny in the third degree. This offense is punishable by up to 7 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000 or double your gain, depending on which is more significant.
- Class C felony: If the property stolen was valued between $50,000 and $1 million, it’s classified as grand larceny in the second degree. This offense is punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment and a fine up to $5,000 or double your gain, depending on which is more significant.
- Class B felony: If the property stolen was valued greater than $1 million, it’s classified as grand larceny in the first degree. This offense is punishable by up to 25 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000 or double your gain, depending on which is more significant.
What Civil Penalties Could I Face?
As mentioned above, you may be subject to civil liability in addition to criminal charges. New York merchants can bring civil lawsuits against you to recover damages if your actions negatively impact them. Store owners can seek the retail value of the stolen merchandise up to $1,500 if the property is not retrieved in a re-sellable condition.
If you’ve been charged with shoplifting, please don’t hesitate to contact a skilled lawyer from the legal team at Grunwald & Seman, P.C., who can help defend your rights.
