Item Values and Prior Offenses: An Examination of Key Elements in Shoplifting Charging Decisions in a Rural Jurisdiction

Abstract

State laws mandate that the total price of items pilfered and number of prior offenses be considered in shoplifting charging decisions, yet these two elements of shoplifting have been ignored in recent scholarship. Using data from 740 misdemeanor shoplifting incidents in a rural jurisdiction, we examine total values of items taken per incident, total number of items taken per incident, and number of prior shoplifting offenses. Further, we examine whether these important elements of shoplifting charging decisions vary by gender, race, and age. Our findings reveal that few people involved in shoplifting incidents in this rural jurisdiction approach or surpass the $500 threshold required for felony upgrade on third and subsequent offenses. Policymakers should consider these findings, along with their criminal justice reform goals, when setting felony threshold amounts for shoplifting.