Shoplifting is one of the most common crimes committed by juveniles. Whether for the thrill or because of peer pressure, there aren’t many other minor crimes as “popular” among teens and young adults. Here you’ll find revealing statistics and some alarming facts about juvenile shoplifters. Also, you’ll find how to help if your child is arrested for shoplifting.
According to a study published by the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, 25% of all shoplifters are juveniles.
Of the 75% of adult shoplifters, 55% of them report that they were young when they began shoplifting. This means the shoplifting continued for many years.
Shoplifters — whether juveniles or adults — are not often caught. In fact, statistics show that a shoplifter is caught only about 1 in every 48 times they commit theft. Surprisingly, shoplifters are reported only about 50% of the time. This means that the ratio of times teens are caught for shoplifting and the times they actually shoplift could be even more disproportionate.
Shoplifting typically isn’t a premeditated crime among juveniles. 72% of teens and young adults surveyed reported that they had no intentions of shoplifting when they walked into the store they ended up stealing from.
89% of teens and young adults know a peer who has stolen in the past or steals on a regular basis. 66% of those children say that they regularly hang out or spend time with kids who they know to be shoplifting.
No one gender shoplifts more than the other — in both juveniles and adults, male and female shoplifters commit theft equally.
Even when caught, 33% of juvenile shoplifters say that it’s difficult for them to stop shoplifting. The adrenaline rush or “high” that they get from getting away with theft without being caught is often worth more to them than the actual items they came away with.
If your child has been accused of shoplifting, your next move should be to secure an experienced criminal defense attorney. While letting your child “face the music” for what they’ve done may seem like a good idea, the truth is, penalties for a childhood mistake could last a lifetime.
At the Law Offices of Donald J. Matson, we can help protect your child’s rights after being charged with shoplifting as a juvenile. Call today for a consultation at (626) 600-3437.
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