1 in 11 Americans (approximately 27 million Americans) – no matter how poor or wealthy they are – takes goods from the store shelves and “forgets” to pay for them. Shoplifting is a national epidemic that’s costing the economy more than $100 million each day, with most criminals getting away: shoplifters say they are caught only once in every 48 times they steal. Meat, razors, baby formula, electronics, cosmetics, alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and clothes are on the list of the most shoplifted items in the U.S.

And while one can understand the reasons why a person would steal an expensive laptop, it’s simply baffling for most why a college-educated and working individual would risk his or her freedom for a bottle of whiskey. And yet, psychologists have several theories why people engage in this kind of criminal activity without considering the long-term consequences, singling finances, emotional issues, peer pressure, and kleptomania. The typical shoplifter is not the beady-eyed criminal who has it all figured out and plans to make a huge profit off of the stolen items. It turns out, shoplifting is primarily an impulse.

The majority of shoplifters (excluding organized professionals who steal for a living) don’t plan their heists in advance. Getting something for nothing has a greater meaning for the average shoplifter than the value of the stolen item itself: for some it’s a substitute for loss experienced in a recent divorce or accident, for others it’s justified revenge against other people, the government, or big corporations. Many people steal as a relief mechanism for depression, anxiety, boredom, or just to spend their time differently.

Interviewed by Forbes, Dr. Read Hayes from the Loss Prevention Research Council talked about people’s tendency of stealing low-value items: “Most theft is greed, not need. They certainly don’t need the steak, but they talk themselves into self-justifying the behavior. It’s a big corporation; they charge too much; everyone does it.”

Barbara Staib from the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention confirms this theory: “There’s an acceptable level of dishonesty in society. Most shoppers think it’s okay to eat grapes. They think it’s a free sample. But do you see a sign saying you can eat grapes? No. It’s stealing.”

On a larger scale, shoplifting is a serious crime that negatively impacts small and large retailers alike. Losses of tens of billions of dollars – $35 billion per year only in the U.S. – are reported by retailers every year, the economy is constantly burdened by unnecessary costs, and the existence of many stores is continually endangered by shoplifters. In addition to all this, store owners and employees are constantly at risk of having legal action pursued against them, if they decide to adopt measures in order to protect their property rights.

False arrest, humiliation, and similar charges – most often the result of shoplifting prevention efforts – are the reasons why consumers decide to sue store owners. If you feel an injustice has been committed in your case, a criminal defense lawyer with experience in these cases can help clear your name and also receive compensation, if the damages you’ve suffered are notable. Call 773.908.9811 or visit / and fill out a short form with your personal details to schedule an initial consultation.

About the Author Andrew M. Weisberg is a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, Illinois. A former prosecutor in Cook County, Mr. Weisberg is a member of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar, an elite group of criminal attorneys who are certified by the Illinois Supreme Court to try death penalty cases. He is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar. Mr. Weisberg is a solo practitioner at the Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg.

For most Americans, Christmas presents are found in Santa Claus’s generous bag or, at least, in the wallets of their friends and family. Some people, however, decide to take matters into their own hands and simply steal the goods they want to find under the tree on Christmas Eve.

One in every eleven people who walk through the doors of a store is likely to walk out with at least one item they didn’t pay for. Most offenders are amateurs who simply can’t afford the items they desire and don’t take enough precaution measures. 75 percent of those caught are adults with jobs and most of them (70 percent) confess their crimes are ones of opportunity, by simply letting themselves give in to temptation. Only 3 percent of shoplifters are professionals who have a plan and put the items up for resale.

According to the Global Retail Theft Barometer for 2011, the merchandise stolen from stores in the four weeks leading up to Christmas exceeded $1.8 billion, a 6% increase from the previous year. On top of the stolen items list are not laptops or iPhones, like in past years, but delicatessen such as filet mignon, the “luxury meat” whose loss rate has increased by 21 percent in the past years. Alcohol comes in second, accounting for 2.9 percent of the stolen merchandise in the U.S., followed by electric tools, such as toothbrushes and power tools, as well as gadgets, perfumes and clothing items.

The Cost of Retail Theft

Retail theft, including loss of inventory, organized retail crime or employee fraud, cost retailers more than $112 billion worldwide between 2012 and 2013. Shoplifting remains the highest cause of retail loss. According to a recent study that surveyed 157 companies covering 160,000 stores, the highest shoplifting rates were reported in Mexico and Brazil – 1.5% of the $1.5 trillion generated in sales in 2012, closely followed by the United States and China at 1.5 percent. Australia and Japan had the lowest rates.

A plausible reason for the increased rate of retail theft is that the down economy drives customers to buy less and steal more. Regardless of the desperate attitude of most retailers and huge discounts on almost every product, there still are plenty kleptomaniacs walking through the malls. Most theories explain the phenomenon by mentioning the slow economic recovery and higher theft rates in organized retail crime. At the same time, retailers have started investing in loss prevention methods and equipment, working with technology companies to find effective loss management solutions for such a widespread phenomenon.

When to Seek Legal Help

Retail theft charges are serious accusations. They can range from a simple misdemeanor to felony charges depending on the value of the stolen item and the history of previous retail theft charges, punishable by one year or 1-3 years in jail, respectively. There are also tremendous implications for the arrestee, whose chances of accessing future employment and applying for a professional license will be significantly affected by a conviction for retail theft.

An experienced criminal defense attorney can help the offender dismiss a conviction or at least have the charges reduced and avoid prison terms. He can help prepare the case and prove to the court the theft was accidental, convincing the prosecutors to drop the charges and to allow you to rehabilitate your image in the community.

About the Author Andrew M. Weisberg is a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, Illinois. A former prosecutor in Cook County, Mr. Weisberg,is a member of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar, an elite group of criminal attorneys who are certified by the Illinois Supreme Court to try death penalty cases. He is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar. Mr. Weisberg is a sole practitioner at the Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg.