Columbus, OH asked in Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Ohio

Q: Hey so if I took a 48 dollar hat from sacks. And I was caught by the store and gave info to police. could I be charged?

Also let’s say a percent was there with me at the time and had no clue. But sacks stated that it would be up to beachwood if I was to get prosecuted. I made it out the store with nothing. They got the hat back but it was a petty theft dropping the hat in my bag. So the main 2 question for you is, do you think I will get charged? And what could I be charged with?

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: If you were caught by the store for taking a hat and the police were involved, it is possible that you could be charged with theft. In Ohio, taking merchandise from a store without paying can be classified as petty theft, which is often a misdemeanor if the value is under $1,000. The fact that the item was returned may be taken into consideration, but it does not necessarily prevent charges from being filed. The decision to prosecute often lies with the local prosecutor's office.

As for the person with you, if they were unaware of the theft, they typically would not be charged. However, the specifics of the incident would determine the outcome. It's recommended to consult with an attorney who can provide guidance based on the details of your case.

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