Shoplifting is generally defined as the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a store without paying for it, or intentionally paying less for an item than its sale price. However, shoplifting can include carrying, hiding, concealing, or otherwise manipulating merchandise with the thought of taking it or paying less for it. 

Unfortunately, there is a tendency by adults, teens and youth across the country to regard shoplifting as no big deal or a victimless crime. We often hear from the parents of juveniles caught shoplifting, No big deal, it was just a small item or people often say kids will be kids. But when given the facts about shoplifting those same people often have a change of heart. It is the most common crime that everyone does knowingly or unknowingly in their lifetime. Bigger thefts or shoplifting include criminal lawyers to defend the cases.

As the shoplifting lawyers in Mississauga conclude the most of the common criminal cases are of shoplifting. Shoplifting has become a social and economic issue in Mississauga and all over the world, In need of a community response because shoplifting steals from all of us. Providing an overarching, active community response to shoplifting is essential to the future welfare of our society because the crime directly affects so many people. Without comprehensive community action we will continue to undermine current crime prevention efforts, suffer economic loss and family hardship and weaken the values of honesty, integrity and character in our youth and our future.

If you do shoplift you feel immense humiliation and distrust from friends and family, and your own conscious is hurt if it isn’t then there is something wrong with your feelings not to feel bad about stealing from stores. Every time you steal from stores they are set back that much money and might even have to fire someone that could be one of your friends.People in the community lose respect for you.

The stores usually raise there prices and then causes more shoplifting, but the people that don’t shoplift just end up having to pay more for the product or else go somewhere else to shop. If the customer goes to a different store because of the rising prices the store will also lose business therefore could cause businessman from having a profit and close their stores.

The Rules of Loss Prevention Officers

Unlike shoplifters who have no rules, LP employees must follow basic guidelines when it comes to apprehending shoplifting suspect.

The LP officer must see a shoplifter select merchandise to ensure that the merchandise belongs to the store.

The LP must see the shoplifter conceal merchandise in their pockets, coat, pants, handbag, backpack, or shopping cart.

Exiting the store with merchandise proves to the police and the courts that the shoplifter had no intention of paying for it.

For the shoplifters, luck also determines whether shoplifters are arrested after leaving the shop. Sometimes, a shop may not have the best security measures or be inadequately staffed, making it easy for shoplifters to escape their petty crime. However, there’s always the possibility of being caught and identified by store staff or police officers.

Although the probability of being found shoplifting in the store depends on several aspects, it is crucial to remember that shoplifting is a crime and can result in serious consequences. Instead of taking the risk of penalties and criminal charges, it is safer to look for legal and ethical methods to get the items you want.

Cosmetics, makeup and lipsticks are regularly stolen for personal use, as gifts or for sale to others. The containers are often small and goods can be secreted in pockets, bags or knapsacks. Other products in this often-stolen category are sun-cream, skin-cream, hair treatment and shampoo.

Clothing accessories: These include scarves, handbags, purses, gloves and other small and expensive things.

While the reasons for stealing these items may vary, the impact of shoplifting on businesses and individuals is significant. The cost of shoplifting is passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. Additionally, shoplifting can result in legal consequences, including fines, community service, and even jail time

Sentences are calculated by an assessment of culpability and harm.

Culpability is a measure of how involved the offender was in the offence, the extent to which it was planned and the sophistication of the shoplifting.

Harm is assessed by the financial loss resulting from the shoplifting and any additional harm suffered by the shop/stall or anyone else. It includes damage to property and the effect on business.

The offender is more likely to receive a custodial sentence if:

• they present a risk or danger to the public
• they have a history of poor compliance with court orders

However they are less likely to receive a custodial sentence if:

There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

There are strong mitigating circumstances such as the offender shows a determination to address their addiction or offending behaviour.

More than one-third of women and one in 12 men have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime , according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. Anyone would agree that’s too many. If you’re asking yourself what you can do to help, read on. Below, 10 steps you can take to help stop domestic violence in your community.

1. Know the signs. Domestic violence can happen to anyone—white, black, young, old, rich, poor, educated, not educated. Sometimes violence begins early on in a relationship and other times it takes months or even years to appear. But there generally are some warning signs. Be wary of the following red flags an abuser may exhibit at any point in a relationship:

• Being jealous of your friends or time spent away from your partner
• Discouraging you from spending time away from your partner
• Embarrassing or shaming you
• Controlling all financial decisions
• Making you feel guilty for all the problems in the relationship
• Preventing you from working
• Intentionally damaging your property
• Threatening violence against you, your pets or someone you love to gain compliance
• Pressuring you to have sex when you don’t want to
• Intimidating you physically, especially with weapons

2. Don’t ignore it. Police officers hear the same thing from witnesses again and again—I heard/saw/perceived domestic violence but didn’t want to get involved. If you hear your neighbors engaged in a violent situation, call the police. It could save a life.

3. Lend an ear. If someone ever confides in you they are experiencing domestic violence, listen without judgment. Believe what they are telling you and ask how you can help, or see this list of 25 ways to help a survivor.

4. Be available. If someone you know is thinking about leaving or is in fear the violence will escalate, be ready to help. Keep your phone with you and the ringer on, make sure you have gas in your car and discuss an escape plan or meeting place ahead of time.

5. Know the number to a nearby shelter. You never know who might need refuge in a hurry.

6. Check in regularly. If a loved one or friend is in danger, reach out regularly to ensure his or her safety.

7. Be a resource. Someone experiencing violence may not be able to research shelters, escape plans or set up necessities like bank accounts and cell phones while living with his or her abuser. Offer to do the legwork to help ease stress and keep things confidential. Here’s a list of items a survivor may need to take with them.

8. Write it down. Document every incident you witness and include the date, time, location, injuries and circumstances. This information could be very useful in later police reports and court cases, both criminal and civil.

9. Get the word out. Assist a local shelter or domestic violence organization in their efforts to raise awareness in your community. Or use your personal connections to start a grassroots campaign. Organize talks at your workplace wellness fair, HOA meetings and church groups.

10. Put your money where your mouth is. Use your power as a consumer and refuse to support the culture perpetuated in music, movies, television, games and the media that glorifies violence, particularly against women.

A bail hearing refers to a specific type of judicial proceeding. 

​After the police have laid charges and arrested a suspect, the Criminal Code of Canada grants them to power to release the accused. This can be in the form of an “Appearance Notice,” for example, or a “Promise to Appear” with an “Undertaking”. 

​In certain circumstances, the police may exercise their discretion not to release. Although the Criminal Code of Canada specifically limits these circumstances, in practice these limitations (or justifications not to release) are rarely referenced. When the police decline to release an accused – either from the station or at the scene of a charge – the Criminal Code specifically requires them to bring the accused before a Judge or Justice of the Peace within 24 hours of arrest – or “as soon as practicable” thereafter. This language is found in s.503 of the Code.

​503 (1) A peace officer who arrests a person with or without warrant…shall cause the person to be detained in custody and, in accordance with the following provisions, to be taken before a justice to be dealt with according to law:

​(a) where a justice is available within a period of twenty-four hours after the person has been arrested by or delivered to the peace officer, the person shall be taken before a justice without unreasonable delay and in any event within that period, and

​(b) where a justice is not available within a period of twenty-four hours after the person has been arrested by or delivered to the peace officer, the person shall be taken before a justice as soon as possible.

Bringing an accused “before a justice” marks a pivotal point in any criminal proceeding: the point at which the judiciary begins to supervise the work of the police. 

​Up until this point in the criminal process, the police investigating a specific crime have largely operated unsupervised. With the exception of obtaining prior authorization for warrants and the like, they surveil, gather evidence, and arrest without their work being overseen. Requiring them to bring an accused person who has been arrested before a judge within 24 hours ushers a critical level of oversight into their work – and with admirable swiftness. 

​Because judges aren’t police. In our adversarial model inherited from the Brits, their task is not to investigate crime but to find the truth and uphold the law. And one of the most important laws in Canada is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This document contains two important rights as it relates to bail: They extend to everyone in Canada.

​The first is the presumption of innocence:

​(d) to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal;

The second is the right not to be denied reasonable bail:

​(e) not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause;

In the push and pull between the competing forces of “crime prevention” and “individual liberties,” these two constitutional giants animate the entire law of bail. Remember: they are constitutional rights, which means they form part of the highest land of the nation. Higher than the Criminal Code, higher than police authority. One of these rights asks: why should we detain people in custody if they are presumed innocent? 

​The other replies: we shouldn’t, unless there is a damn good reason for doing so. The judiciary is the body of government entrusted with enforcing these sacred laws. A skilled criminal lawyer is the whip that ensures nobody forgets them!