Many shoplifting cases fall under the Theft in the Fourth Degree statute. Depending on all the circumstances of the incident and arrest, a criminal defense lawyer can explain how this law differs from more serious theft offenses, and often help the person charged avoid jail time, and possibly be granted a deferred adjudication.

Section 13A-8-5
Theft of property in the fourth degree.
(a) The theft of property which does not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) in value and which is not taken from the person of another constitutes theft of property in the fourth degree.

(b) Theft of property in the fourth degree is a Class A misdemeanor.

(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §3204; Acts 1978, No. 770, p. 1110; Acts 1992, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 92-682, p. 68, §2; Act 2003-355, p. 962, §1; Act 2015-185, §2.)