Do you have to be caught with the goods if you are accused of shoplifting?  – Questions and answers on criminal law in Georgia

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Do you have to be caught with the goods if…

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A: Yes, you can be charged (and convicted) even if you weren’t physically caught with the goods. According to the Georgian law OCGA § 16-8-14, shoplifting includes the following:

conceals or takes possession of goods or goods of a business or retail establishment;

Change the price tag or other pricing labeling on goods or merchandise of a store or retail establishment;

Transfers the goods or merchandise of a business or retail establishment from one container to another;

exchanges the label or price tag on one item of merchandise for a label or price tag on another item of merchandise;

or

The amount paid is incorrectly lower than the retailer’s stated price for the goods.

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