Is Shoplifting a Misdemeanor or a Felony?

Is shoplifting a felony or a misdemeanor? Shoplifting in and of itself is a crime of theft, and theft can be charged as a felony depending on if you have prior convictions.

If this is your first shoplifting charge – let’s say you went to Walmart and you took about $35 worth of makeup – it’s gonna be a Class E misdemeanor. But if this is your third time around and you’ve got a problem with shoplifting – there’s something going on in your life; maybe there’s an emotional problem – whatever it might be that’s driving you to continue with this type of behavior and you have two prior convictions for shoplifting, you’re now facing a felony. It doesn’t matter if you lifted a $5 Christmas card. If it’s your third offense, you’re facing five years in prison. It’s always best to nip this in the bud and not get a first time conviction.

There is a big difference between a first offense and a third offense, because that’s the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony.