Legal Question in Criminal Law in Maryland

I entered a sears store ans headed to the camcorder display I pick up a small compacted camcorder and turned it around to look at it in doing so it feel off the display I thought it was a dummy I then wanted to see if it felt too bulky in my pocket so I placed it in my pocket and walked a few feet to the men clothing dept I then placed it on the shelf of the mens dept store and left I was then followed outside and they call police they came a reveiwed the video and seen that I left the item in store. They then said I was not being charged but they were going to consult states attorny and try to get any charge they could I honestly did not even think it was real it looked so fake. Should I be worried?


Asked on 7/29/09, 10:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Welch William L. Welch, III Attorney

Anyone can be charged. Your belief that the camera was not real is irrelevant to whether the state can prove theft or attempted theft. The state would have to prove to a judge or a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that you took or tried to take property with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of possession. Typically, shoplifting cases involve concealing merchandise and leaving the store without paying.

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Answered on 8/03/09, 10:32 pm


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