Shoplifting in Rhode Island is the willful concealment or taking of merchandise from a retail store with intent to deprive the store of the merchandise without payment. The charge is typically prosecuted as larceny under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-41-1 with penalties scaling by value of the merchandise. Under $100 is often charged as a civil shoplifting violation with fines. $100 to $1,500 is misdemeanor petty larceny with up to 1 year jail. Over $1,500 becomes felony grand larceny with up to 10 years prison. Most shoplifting cases involve first offenders facing diversion or non-conviction outcomes when restitution is paid promptly.
