What's the Punishment for Stealing

[Plvaa]

My question involves criminal law for the state of:Michigan
My mom was almost caught stealing 40$ flatirons. I just want to know what would've happened if she'd gotten caught ? At Walmart.

[free9man]

It depends on what you mean by "almost caught."

If you mean she dumped the stuff/changed her mind and LP did not attempt to apprehend her, had she been caught she would be looking at criminal prosecution and a civil demand. The severity of which depends on the total value of the merchandise. You said $40 flatirons, plural, so if she stole a bunch of them the charges could be more severe.

If you mean LP tried to stop her and she ran, then she would still face criminal prosecution and civil demand when she is caught. The charges could be more severe depending on what she did in order to escape.

She needs to stay out of any and all Walmarts (and Sam's Clubs just to be safe) in a 50-100 mile radius of the store she was in, at the least. Better to stay out of WalMarts entirely for a good while.

[PandorasBox]

Just tell mom....that $40 flat iron can end up costing her $3000.

It also makes it hard to find a job for many years. So if she lost her job after being convicted, she would be looking at a McJob, and would NOt be working the cash register. If you have an apartment, many apartments will not lease to those found guilty of moral turpitude (shoplifting is considered such a crime).

[Plvaa]

It depends on what you mean by "almost caught."

If you mean she dumped the stuff/changed her mind and LP did not attempt to apprehend her, had she been caught she would be looking at criminal prosecution and a civil demand. The severity of which depends on the total value of the merchandise. You said $40 flatirons, plural, so if she stole a bunch of them the charges could be more severe.

If you mean LP tried to stop her and she ran, then she would still face criminal prosecution and civil demand when she is caught. The charges could be more severe depending on what she did in order to escape.

She needs to stay out of any and all Walmarts (and Sam's Clubs just to be safe) in a 50-100 mile radius of the store she was in, at the least. Better to stay out of WalMarts entirely for a good while.

Thanks. But to make things more clear. I walked around the corner to get nail polish & noticed two workers talking about it with the LP the started to spy on her so I told her & she removed them. But they didn't know & began to circle us & when we went to exit there was a LP at the door & you could hear on her wallow talkie "she is exiting now". But, we already put the 1 pair of flatirons back

[free9man]

Oh, so it wasn't just mom. It sounds like you were an active participant, which means you get the same treatment as mom if you're caught with her.

[PandorasBox]

To expand on Free9man's post....so since you're an accomplice, that $40 flatiron would now cost $3000.....for each of you. $3000 x 2 = $6000. Pretty damned expensive flatiron. I think I'd rather pay the $40.00.