Retail theft has become an increasingly serious and expensive problem for retailers of all kinds throughout the country. That’s why state lawmakers, including those in Mississippi, have added new laws and amended current ones to make the consequences of stealing more serious for those convicted.
Some of these laws recognize that multiple people can be involved in a retail theft – and benefit from it – even if they didn’t do the taking.
Two Mississippi laws
For example, in 2024, Mississippi enacted a law that makes helping someone shoplift merchandise worth $1,000 or more the same as actually stealing it. Both offenses are felonies.
Specifically, the law says, “A person convicted of shoplifting merchandise, acting in concert with, aiding, abetting, or encouraging one or more persons to commit such crime, regardless of whether such others are prosecuted for such crime, for which the total price of all items shoplifted…exceeds One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), shall be guilty of a felony…for the offense of grand larceny.”
A separate law makes it a crime for anyone 18 or older to “encourage, aid or abet” anyone under 18 in shoplifting. This can apply, for example, when older friends, siblings or even parents encourage young teens or even children to shoplift because they believe they’re less likely to be caught or at least reported to police.
The consequences for all crimes involving retail theft generally increase with the value of the merchandise stolen and the number of convictions. However, even those arrested for a first offense need to take it seriously.
Innocent actions can be misinterpreted
It can sometimes be difficult for prosecutors to prove that a person was intentionally helping a shoplifter. Maybe you’re shopping with a friend. While you’re asking questions of the only salesperson around, your friend slips an item into their bag. Police might think you were intentionally causing a distraction when you simply had questions for the salesperson. You had no idea what your friend was doing. That’s just one example of how actions can be misinterpreted.
If you’re facing a shoplifting-related charge, regardless of the circumstances, it’s critical to understand the consequences. Getting experienced legal guidance as soon as possible can help you protect your rights and determine how best to move forward.
