Massachusetts Shoplifting Attorney

Massachusetts has different crimes for different types of shoplifting.  Any type of shoplifting is a crime in Massachusetts. Although all shoplifting crimes in Massachusetts are misdemeanor offenses,  and some are only punishable by a fine. The consequences to your criminal record can be severe.

It is important to consult with an experienced Massachusetts criminal defense attorney if you've been charged with shoplifting. Even if you've been charged with shoplifting you may still be able to preserve your criminal record, avoid fines and fees and avoid going to jail
 
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If you or someone you know has been charged with shoplifting contact attorney Patrick Donovan at (617) 479-1800.  

Massachusetts Shoplifting Laws

Massachusetts General Law chapter 266 section 30a
Shoplifting by Taking Away or Carrying Away Merchandise
    any person who intentionally takes possession of, carries away, transfers or causes to be carried away or transferred
    any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail merchant  establishment
    with the intention of depriving the merchant of the possession, use of benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person
    without paying to the merchant the value of

Where the goods are under $100 a First offense shall be punished by a fine of not more than $250 by a second offense of not less than $100 nor more than 500 if it is a third or subsequent offense there is potential penalty of more than two years in jail
where the goods are $100 or more the penalty may be a fine of not more than $1000 or in prison in the house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years or both.

Massachusetts General Law chapter 266 section 30s
Shoplifting by Concealment of Merchandise
    any person who intentionally conceals upon his person or otherwise
    any merchandise offered for sale by any store or other retail establishment
    with the intention of depriving the merchant of the proceeds, use or benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person
    without paying the merchant the value of
where the goods are under $100 the penalty for a first offense is a fine of not more than $250 for second offense a fine of $500 and for a third offense a fine of not more than $500 or jail for up to two years
where the goods exceed $100 the punishment shall be a fine of not more than $1000 or imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years

Massachusetts general law chapter 266 section 30A
Shoplifting by Altering or Removing Label or Tags in Attempting to Purchase
    any person who intentionally alters, transfers or removes any label, rice tag or marking of value or any other marking which aid in the determining of value
    the fixed to any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other reach retail establishment
    and to attempt to purchase such merchandise personally or with another at less than full retail value
    with the intention of depriving the merchant of all or some part of the retail value

Where the goods are under $100 the penalty is a fine of not more than $250. For a second offense the penalty is a fine of not more than $500. For a third or subsequent offense the penalty is a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment in jail for not more than two years.
Where the goods are valued at over $100 the penalty may be a fine of not more than $1000 or imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years or both.

Massachusetts general law chapter 266 section 30a
Shoplifting by Transferring Merchandise into Different Container
    any person who intentionally transfers any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or retail establishment
    from the container in or on which the same shall be displayed to any other container
    with the intent to deprive the merchant of all or some part of the retail value

Where the goods are under $100 the penalty for a first offense is a fine of not more than $250, for a second offense a fine of not less than $100 not more than $500 and for third offense jail for not more than two years and fine

Where the goods exceed $100 the punishment shall be a fine of not more than $1000 or imprisonment house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years or both