Often when people think of shoplifting charges, they do not consider how serious they can be. Shoplifting allegations, unfortunately, are serious. Whether it was by accident that a pair of designer glasses found their way into your possession or you thought that there would be little to no consequences, you could be in serious trouble. If you think that shoplifting is frivolous, FindLaw explains that you can face jail, fines or have to pay civil damages in Ohio.
Luxury sunglasses are often worth less than what the manufacturer or designer paid to have them made. Unfortunately, the worth of the materials has no weight on the law itself. If the sunglasses have a value of 500 dollars or below, then you may face a misdemeanor petty theft charge. You can face up to 180 days in jail or a 1000-dollar fine. Designer glasses are often worth more than a few hundred dollars. You could be talking property that has a value of thousands of dollars.
Property with a value between 1,000 and 7,500 dollars is a fifth-degree felony. You could spend from six to 12 months in jail or face fines up to 2,500 dollars. For any accessory valued over 7,500 dollars, you face theft in the fourth degree. This results in fines up to 5,000 dollars and jail time of six to 18 months.
A defense against a shoplifting charge often involves mistake of fact or a lack of intent. Accidents do occur and when dealing with designer brands, sometimes the brand will be quick to make these allegations.
None of the above is considered legal advice. It is for informational purposes only.
