What Are the Punishments for Shoplifting in Tennessee?

From an objective standpoint, you may view shoplifting as a petty crime. However, Tennessee criminal law may see it quite differently. This may especially ring true if the shoplifted items totaled a monetary amount that was quite considerable. Well, with that being said, continue reading to learn the potential criminal punishments for shoplifting in Tennessee and how one of the experienced Clarksville shoplifting lawyers at Fendley and Etson can help with your defense strategy against them.

What are the forms of shoplifting recognized under Tennessee law?

The general definition for shoplifting, according to Tennessee criminal law, is the act of intentionally taking merchandise or property belonging to a retail establishment without paying for it. Under this umbrella term, many acts may constitute shoplifting, as they are as follows:

• Hiding merchandise on your person, in your bag, or under your clothing with the intent to steal.
• Changing or removing price tags from merchandise to pay a lower price than its actual value.
• Switching merchandise from its original packaging to another container to avoid detection when exiting the store.
• Damaging an anti-theft device in the store to avoid detection of stolen merchandise when exiting.
• Colluding with a cashier or improperly using self-checkout to scan merchandise at a lower price than its actual value.
• Making a false return with stolen merchandise to improperly obtain cash or store credit.

What are the criminal punishments for shoplifting in the state of Tennessee?

Of note, shoplifting may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony in the state of Tennessee. Now, the only way it may be considered a Class A misdemeanor is if the stolen merchandise holds an actual monetary value of $1,000 or less. In this case, you may be sentenced to a jail time of up to 11 months and 29 days, along with a fine of up to $2,500. Therefore, anything valued at more than $1,000 may be tried as a felony offense. And the criminal punishments for a felony shoplifting offense are as follows:

• A Class E felony: stolen merchandise valued at $1,000 to $2,500.
  • A prison sentence of one to six years.
  • A fine of up to $3,000.
• A Class D felony: stolen merchandise valued at $2,500 to $10,000.
  • A prison sentence of two to 12 years.
  • A fine of up to $5,000.
• A Class C felony: stolen merchandise valued at $10,000 to $60,000.
  • A prison sentence of three to 15 years.
  • A fine of up to $10,000.
• A Class B felony: stolen merchandise valued at $60,000 to $250,000.
  • A prison sentence of eight to 30 years.
  • A fine of up to $25,000.
• A Class A felony: stolen merchandise valued at $250,000 or more.
  • A prison sentence of 15 to 60 years.
  • A fine of up to $50,000.

In conclusion, you should know that one of the skilled Montgomery County criminal defense lawyers is here to assist you with whatever your legal issue may be at this time. So please reach out to us at Fendley and Etson today.