Full question:
If you get arrested for shoplifiting do they have to wait until you get outside of the store?
- Category: Criminal
- Date:
- State: Mississippi
Answer:
Under Mississippi law, shoplifting occurs when a person unlawfully takes possession of merchandise with the intent to convert it to their own use without paying for it (Miss. Code § 97-23-93). This means that if someone is caught shoplifting, they can be arrested at any point, including while still inside the store.
Merchants or their employees, as well as police officers, can detain and question a person suspected of shoplifting if they have reasonable grounds to believe that a theft is occurring (Miss. Code § 97-23-95). This questioning does not expose them to civil liability as long as they act in good faith.
Shoplifting penalties vary based on the value of the stolen merchandise. For items valued at five hundred dollars or less, the first two offenses are misdemeanors, while a third offense becomes a felony (Miss. Code § 97-23-93). For items over five hundred dollars, the offense is classified as a felony from the start.
In summary, law enforcement does not need to wait until a suspect leaves the store to make an arrest for shoplifting.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.