Attorney Ware has successfully handled hundreds of shoplifting cases during his career, and he has lectured to other attorneys on the subject of defense of the shoplifter.
Charles Ware has for many years been considered, awarded, and ranked among the best attorneys and counsellors in the United States [see, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Baltimore Sun, The Columbia Flier, The Howard County Times, et al.]
Shoplifting in Maryland
In a nutshell, in Maryland "shoplifting" is simply the taking of merchandise out of a store without permission and/or without paying for it. The laws and penalties for shoplifting crimes in Maryland are outlined herein, infra. Punishment may include fines, jail or prison time, community service, restitution, and other penalties such as being prohibited from returning to the store (which, in my opinion, is probably a blessing).
Maryland shoplifting laws are considered among many to be some of the most severe in the country.
Misdemeanor Penalties for Shoplifting in Maryland
In Maryland, a misdemeanor shoplifting offense refers to theft of property from a merchant valued at $1,000 or less:
(a) Shoplifting (theft) of property valued under $100 is punishable by a fine up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.
(b) Shoplifting (theft) of property valued at $1,000 or less with at least two or more prior convictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison (Maryland's Department of Corrections).
Felony Penalties for Shoplifting in Maryland
Of course, felony shoplifting (theft) laws have harsher punishments:
(a) Shoplifting (theft) of property valued between $1,000 and $10,000 is punishable by as much as $10,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.
(b) Shoplifting (theft) of property valued between $10,000 and $100,000 is punishable by as much as $15,000 in fines and up to 15 years in prison.
(c) Shoplifting (theft) of property exceeding $100,000 in value is punishable by as much as $25,000 in fines and up to 25 years in prison.
[Maryland Code § 3-1301, 3-1302, 3-1303, and 3-1304]
Maryland law offers some first-time offenders pre-trial diversion programs to avoid criminal charges, as well as plea bargains to reduce their charges.
[see, www.ehow.com/info/maryland shoplifting laws and penalties; shopliftinglaws.org/maryland; www.shopliftingprevtion.org/laws; definitions.uslegal.com/shoplifting; www.onlinelawyersource.com/shopliftinglaws]
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