Shoplifting cases may have relatively lower exposure to punishment compared to other criminal offenses, but the legal, social, and personal consequences may impact a person’s life for a long time. Aside from criminal penalties that typically include fines, imprisonment, or both, the offender will get a criminal record that will be stored in the national database and accessed at any time by the police, public institutions, employers, and landlords.  The stigma carried by a shoplifting conviction, which can limit housing, [...]

Shoplifting cases may have relatively lower exposure to punishment compared to other criminal offenses, but the legal, social, and personal consequences may impact a person’s life for a long time. Aside from criminal penalties that typically include fines, imprisonment, or both, the offender will get a criminal record that will be stored in the national database and accessed at any time by the police, public institutions, employers, and landlords.  The stigma carried by a shoplifting conviction, which can limit housing, [...]