What is shoplifting and how does it differ from commercial burglary?
Shoplifting is the crime of taking goods while at a store without paying or intending to pay for them. A person who shoplifts will be charged with either a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the value of the stolen items. In many states, a person can be arrested for shoplifting if he or she simply attempts to conceal an item while in the store. Some state laws also define a crime of “commercial burglary,” which is similar to shoplifting in that it involves the defendant taking goods from the premises. However, with commercial burglary, the state must show that the person entered a building with the intent to steal.
