Shoplifting in Massachusetts can have serious consequences. Shoplifting charges can go on your criminal record. Also, you can face fines, probation, and possibly jail. However, many times a deal can be reached to avoid any of those consequences.
Recent Victories
The client, a 20-year-old college student, was caught by loss prevention for stealing over $500 of makeup. Also, this happened at a well-known department store. Then the client admitted to stealing the makeup. And, the client also told loss prevention and the police that she did it before. Attorney Donovan negotiated a pretrial diversion. The case was dismissed. The incident will not go on her record.
The client was alleged to have shoplifted clothes. It happened at a national department store. She was summonsed to an arraignment. Attorney Donovan negotiated with the prosecutor to dismiss the case for $100 in court costs.
What are the Massachusetts Shoplifting Laws?
Massachusetts General Law chapter 266 section 30a governs shoplifting.
- 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
Shoplifting FAQs
Where the goods are under $100 a First offense shall be punished by a fine of not more than $250. The second offense of not less than $100 nor more than $500. Third or subsequent offense up to 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.
Shoplifting by Concealment of Merchandise
Massachusetts General Law chapter 266 section 30s
- 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
What is the Penalty for Shoplifting by Concealment of Merchandise in Massachusetts?
Where the goods are under $100 the penalty for a first offense is a fine of not more than $250 for the 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
Shoplifting by Altering or Removing Label or Tags in Attempting to Purchase
Massachusetts general law chapter 266 section 30A
- any person who intentionally alters, transfers or removes any label, price tag or marking of value or any other marking that 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. Then for a second offense, the penalty is a fine of not more than $500. Finally, 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;
- Or, 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 is a fine of not more than $250. Then for a second offense a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500. Finally, 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.
Massachusetts Shoplifting Attorney
Massachusetts Shoplifting Attorney Patrick Donovan is a former prosecutor. As an Assistant District Attorney Patrick Donovan prosecuted many shoplifting cases. As a Massachusetts shoplifting attorney Patrick Donovan uses that experience to help each of his clients. Attorney Donovan has represented clients in over fifty courts in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Defense attorney, Patrick Donovan fights for the best result for people charged with all shoplifting.
If you or someone you know has been charged with shoplifting contact Massachusetts Shoplifting Attorney Patrick Donovan at (617) 479-1800.
Areas Served
Massachusetts Shoplifting Attorney Patrick T. Donovan represents clients in:
Suffolk County
Boston, Dorchester, South Boston, East Boston, Roxbury, West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, North End of Boston, South End of Boston, Chinatown, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Mission Hill, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Allston, Brighton
Norfolk County
Avon, Dover, Brookline, Cohasset, Dedham, Foxborough, Holbrook, Mansfield, Milton, Norwood, Quincy, Randolph, Westwood, Weymouth, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Wareham, Wellesley, Needham, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham
Plymouth County
Abington, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Freetown, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Marion, Marshfield, Middleborough, Norton, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Raynham, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, West Bridgewater, Whitman,
Middlesex County
Arlington, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Beverly, Billerica, Bolton, Boxborough, Boxford, Carlisle, Burlington, Chelmsford, Chelsea, Concord, Dunstable, Danvers, Dracut, Essex, Everett, Framingham, Franklin, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groton, Groveland, Hamilton, Harvard, Holliston, Haverhill, Hopkington, Hudson, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Malden, Natick, Newton, Sherborn,
Essex County
Acton, Amesbury, Lynn, Lynnfield, Andover Manchester, Marblehead, Marlborough, Maynard, Medford, Medway, Melrose, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Milford, Millis, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, North Reading, Northborough, Peabody, Pepperell, Plainville, Reading, Revere, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, West Newbury
Middlesex County
Somerville, Southborough, Stoneham, Stow, Sudbury, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Wenham, , Westborough, Westford, Weston, Wilmington, Winchester, Winthrop, Woburn,
Cape and Islands
Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster, Harwich, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard,
