Walmart, like many larger superstores, has important policies regarding all areas of its trading, so it should come as no surprise that the company operates a very strict set of rules and regulations when it comes to how it deals with shoplifters.
Exactly how long Walmart can detain you for shoplifting will depend on your state. In fact, what happens after you are caught shoplifting will depend on a number of factors including if you were actually caught in the act, the value of the goods, and your state.
How does Walmart deal with shoplifters?
Although Walmart is a huge company that spans the entire of the US, there is not one rulebook for all of their stores.
The reason behind this is that each state has its own laws when it comes to how to deal with shoplifting and how the company is allowed to operate under such circumstances, including when to involve the police and what they are allowed to do.
However, there are a few rules that apply to all Walmart stores that you should be aware of and take as company policy.
Typically speaking Walmart is very strict when it comes to how it deals with shoplifters and it does not take the offense lightly.
For this reason, Walmart stores carefully and strictly follow state laws to ensure that it complies with all the necessary regulations will be harsh to deter any potential thieves from stealing.
All cases of shoplifting from Walmart, as in all stores, will be categorized by the value of the items stolen as this will determine the charge, which can range from a slap on the wrist to petit larceny to grand larceny.
The higher the value of the stolen goods, the more serious the crime and the more serious the potential consequences.
Under $25
If you have been caught stealing items that add up to less than $25 you will not be charged with shoplifting or detained.
This is Walmart’s lower threshold for shoplifting. Under these circumstances, you will simply be strongly encouraged to put the items back on the shelves or pay for them by a member of staff.
However, if you are a repeat offender then you may be escorted off of company property or referred to the police as a matter of caution.
If you refuse to return the stolen items then you will be asked to sign a waiver stating that you will not return to the store for a set exclusion period, typically this is up to one year.
In some states, such as New York, the company may take your contact details and send you a request for five times the monetary value of the stolen item.
Exactly how, and if, the company demands compensation will depend on the state you live in, but note that Walmart will take every measure possible to ensure that you do not attempt to steal anything from their stores again.
Over $25
If you have been caught with items that total over $25 then Walmart will detain you. The staff members will then be able to detain you for as long as it takes the police to arrive.
In the time that it takes for the police to show up to the store, company employees may ask you to sign forms giving your confession of the attempted theft and stating that you will not return to the store for the foreseeable future.
However, it is worth noting that Walmart cannot prosecute you if you are a minor and instead of calling the police they will call your parents to resolve the issue. You will then be detained until your parents arrive at the store to collect you.
If you are then detained by the police they will deal with your case depending on a number of factors including your age, the value of the stolen items, and whether or not you have committed crimes in the past.
In the instance that you have not stolen anything before, chances are that you will be issued a Desk Appearance Ticket given that you have ID on you at the time.
The Desk Appearance Ticket will then require you to appear in court at a set time and date to deal with your accused crime.
If you do not show up to your hearing you will be prosecuted further and possibly arrested.
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Over $1,000
If you have attempted to steal more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Walmart you will be detained by a member of staff and the police will be called, as long as you are over the age of 18.
It is worth knowing that this offense is grand larceny and you will be charged as such. Anything under $1,000 is considered petit larceny, which is a misdemeanor.
Can Walmart detain shoplifters?
However, no matter the value of the items stolen Walmart must have probable cause to believe that you have stolen the items in order to detain you until either the police or your parents arrive at the store.
There are a number of ways that Walmart implements loss prevention to ensure that they are able to prove that someone has attempted to steal items.
Undercover staff members
One of the best ways for Walmart to prove that someone was attempting to shoplift items is to catch them in the act.
Obviously, shoplifters will not steal items in front of a member of staff dressed in uniform, they will try to be as sneaky as possible. This is why Walmart employs people to dress in regular clothes and walk inconspicuously around its stores.
This allows them to catch potential shoplifters unaware and have a witness to the attempted crime.
Security tags
Another way for Walmart to prove that someone was attempting to steal merchandise is to use security tags on high value items, including electricals.
These tags can only be removed by a cashier at the checkout desk and so you will obviously have to pay for the item to remove the tag.
If the tag is not removed then it will set off an alarm as you try to leave the store.
Your items and your receipt will then be checked by a member of staff posted at the store exit. If you cannot provide proof that you have indeed paid for the items or items then you will be detained.
Security cameras
In the case that there is not a member of staff in regular clothes to catch you stealing there are still security cameras covering all Walmart stores.
These security cameras record the entire store and allow staff members to catch and identify potential thieves.
This can then be used as evidence against you, allowing Walmart to detain you until the issue is dealt with properly.
Conclusion
Walmart does not take kindly to shoplifters and will indeed use their power to detain you if they have reason to believe that you were attempting to shoplift or did already steal from their store.
Walmart is able to detain you until either the police arrive (if you are an adult) or your parents arrive (if you are a minor).
Once the police arrive, they will then be able to detain you for longer depending on the seriousness of your crime based on factors including your age, the monetary value of the stolen items, and your previous criminal offenses.
Reference Sources
https://thelawman.net/orlando-theft-lawyer/shoplifting/wal-mart/