Shoplifting in California
 

There are have been several references on this forum about how if you shoplift less than $950 in California it’s only a misdemeanor. In one of them NorCalGreg says the offender merely gets a ticket, which they usually ignore.

Here are the actual facts. Prior to 2015 there was no shoplifting crime in California. Stealing from a business by walking out with unpaid merchandise was charged as burglary regardless of the amount. So nobody changed shoplifting from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Just because it’s a misdemeanor doesn’t mean there are no consequences. If convicted you can spend up to six months in jail, you are subject to a $1,000 fine and you are required to pay restitution. If the amount stolen is worth more than $950 the more serious felony charges apply.

https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/defense/penal-code/459-5/


There have been a lot of articles about a surge in shoplifting in San Francisco. The odd thing is shoplifting numbers have been trending down since 1985. From 750 per 100,000 in 1985 to 400 per 100,000 in 2008 to 198 per 100,000 last year.

Also the change in classification from felony to misdemeanor occurred not because the legislature passed a law. It did, but the law was passed in response to Proposition 47, which passed 60-40

Just because there's a law doesn't mean it's enforced. That's why shoplifting is just known as "shopping" in California. And in Illinois they refer to it as "protests".

pssst I hear Trump never colluded with Russia and the Steele dossier is nothing but a hunk of junk

But you never issue those corrections, now do you?

As for shoplifting, California has way BIGGER problems then that...the whole farce, that is the state, can go jump in the ocean.

Shoplifting numbers have been trending down because nothing happens when the police are called. Accordingly, nobody calls the police so there is no shoplift to record to boost the numbers. There are numbers and there is reality.

mostie and numbers.....:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

This:

I don't usually call the police when I catch a shoplifter in the store...but I do occasionally whenever I suspect that I've been victimized by a "professional thief". The clue is that the "pro thief" usually has about a grand+ in cash in his pocket. And when I do call the cops...they ask me if I intend to press charges...otherwise they don't even bother showing up.

BRAVO :ThmbUp::ThmbUp:

I have witnessed shoplifting in California up close and personal. These people KNOW they face little if any retribution for their actions and are brazen about it. Stealing groceries and then calmly loading them in the car. No employee would lift a finger to stop them. In fact, they are ordered not to interfere.

I’ve never been so angered in my life. I wanted shoot the ****suckers.

This "legalized" or tolerated thievery is a well planned strategy by the Left. (Did you get that TJ -- leftists love this policy!). Here's why: It's a form of welfare. The "poor" get their free goodies but at the expense of honest, working people who pay for their goods. Leftists know that as a retail business' shrinkage (in-store losses) grow, the business will be forced to raise prices on their goods to offset the loss. In a real sense, local governments, through the private sector, are "taxing" honest, working people so that the "poor" can get their free goods. All the local governments have to do is turn a blind eye to retail theft and this will guarantee higher prices for the honest shoppers.

It's also a form of "reparations".

Yupper! :ThmbUp:

mostpost...rebuttal??? Didn't think so.

NorCalGreg :)