You’re shopping in a store. Suddenly, a store security guard or manager comes up to you and accuses you of shoplifting or says that you have to come with them immediately.

What can you do? What should you expect to happen?

Below, we’re going to provide an overview of what happens in North Carolina after that initial shoplifting accusation, as well as what rights you have and how you can fight back to clear your name.

North Carolina Shoplifting: What the Store Can Do

The laws in North Carolina prohibit both merchandise concealment [...]

Have you been accused of shoplifting in North Carolina? A skilled attorney can help you fight back with the right defense.

Before you even start learning about defense strategies, you need to understand the law and what you’re up against.

Shoplifting Laws and Penalties in North Carolina

North Carolina law defines shoplifting as “larceny of goods.” You can be found guilty of shoplifting if a prosecutor is able to prove that any of these actions occurred with the intent of permanently depriving a merchant from property and without the merchant’s consent.

1. Concealing merchant

Ask a random person what they think of shoplifting or shoplifters, and they’ll probably say it’s bad and that those who do it should be punished. However, if you ask them how bad or serious they think it is, most are likely to argue that it’s not really a big deal. Certainly not when compared with “real” crimes like rape, murder, robbery, or even fraud.

Why is this the case? There are a couple of different reasons.

First, the public impression of shoplifting is that it’s often a one-time occurrence that only involves [...]

A recent story of a North Carolina woman’s alleged larceny sheds light on why it is so important to have alternatives to the typical punishments for stealing. Moreover, it is a reminder that there are all kinds of reasons why someone might shoplift, and that sometimes a little bit of kindness and understanding can go a long way.

The Desperate Situation a North Carolina Mother Found Herself In

It started when two police officers arrested Theresa West, 44, of the Hillsborough area for stealing from a Food Lion grocery store. The store contacted [...]