A criminal defense attorney in Miami Dade can explain that there are a variety of different types of shoplifting crimes in Florida.  These crimes consist of various types of retail theft.  Some forms of shoplifting a criminal defense attorney in Miami Dade can explain include:

• Altering a label or price tag – this offense is committed when a person changes a price tag in some way in order to try to make the item ring up at the cash register for a lower amount than it is supposed to
• Transferring merchandise from one container to another – this offense occurs when a person takes an item out of one box and places it in another box for a product that is less expensive in an attempt to deprive the store owner of a portion of the full retail value of the original merchandise
• Removing a shopping cart
• Taking possession of property of a merchant – this is the more commonly thought of form of shoplifting in which a person conceals items taken from the store and leaves with them

A criminal defense attorney can explain the potential penalties that a person may face for a crime of shoplifting.  The severity of the punishment and the classification of the crime is based on the value of the property involved.  If property is valued at less than $100, the potential penalty is up to 60 days in jail and fines up to $500.  For shoplifting of merchandise up to $299, the potential penalty is up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000.  If the property is valued between $300 and $19,999, a person may face up to five years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.  Even more severe penalties await those convicted of shoplifting offenses involving even higher values.