{"id":375705,"date":"2018-01-12T02:27:10","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T07:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-shoplifting-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-01-12T02:28:42","modified_gmt":"2018-01-12T07:28:42","slug":"ohio-shoplifting-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-shoplifting-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Ohio Shoplifting Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ohio Shoplifting Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Shoplifting has a reputation as a victimless and frivolous crime. Often, people don’t take it seriously; there are even numerous websites with tips on how to do it without getting caught. Despite this perception, individuals who are convicted of shoplifting<\/a> may face punishments such as jail sentences, fines, and may even have to pay civil damages<\/a> to merchants.<\/p>\n

If you’ve committed shoplifting in Ohio, you can be charged under the state’s theft<\/a> laws because there isn’t a separate law for shoplifting. The charges and penalties that a shoplifter receives depend on the property value of the items in question. For example, if you take a necklace that is valued at $500, you could be charged with committing "petty theft", which is classified as a first degree misdemeanor. Even though the theft is "petty", you can still receive a sentence of up to 180 days in jail, fines up to $1000, or both. In contrast, if someone takes $8000 earrings, the individual can be charged with grand theft, which is punishable with a jail sentence between 6- 12 months and\/or fines up to $2,500.<\/p>\n

Ohio Shoplifting Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\n

The chart below provides a summary of laws related to Ohio’s shoplifting laws, including links to important code sections.<\/p>\n\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Penalties and Sentencing<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

The charges and the penalties depend on the property value of the property involved.<\/p>\n

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  • Property value under $1000: misdemeanor; penalty: up to 180 days in jail, fines up to $1000, or both<\/b>.<\/li>\n
  • Property valued at $1000 and more, less than $7,500: felony in the fifth degree; penalty: 6 months-12 months in jail, fines up to $2,500, or both.<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Property valued at $7,500 or more, less than $150,000 is considered grand theft; felony in the fourth degree; penalty: 6- 18 months jail term and\/or fines up to $5,000<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Property valued at 150,000 or more, less than $750,000: felony in the third degree; penalty: 1-5 years in jail and\/or fines up to $10,000.<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Property valued at $750,000 or more, less than $1,500,000: (aggravated theft); felony in the second degree; penalty: 2-8 years in jail and\/or fines up to $15,000<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Property value: $1,500,000 or more: (aggravated theft); felony in the first degree; penalty: 3-10 years in jail, fines up to $20,000.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Possible Defenses<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Lack of intent<\/li>\n
  • Mistake of fact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Related Offense<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n