Theft From Three Separate Mercantile Establishments Act Exposed

The Theft From Three Separate Mercantile Establishments Act was adopted by ALEC's Criminal Justice Task Force at the Annual Meeting on July 27, 2000, approved by the full ALEC Board of Directors in August, 2000. ALEC has attempted to distance itself from this piece of legislation after the launch of ALECexposed.org in 2011, but it has done nothing to get it repealed in the states where it previously pushed for it to be made into law.

CMD's Bill Summary

This is part of a set of bills, favored by corporations, designed to increase criminal penalties for retail theft. This bill in particular creates a new class of felony if a person steals from three separate businesses, even if the value of the goods stolen is negligible. This bill would benefit large retailers such as Wal-mart, which was a member of the ALEC Private Sector board.

ALEC Bill Text

Summary

This act creates an increased penalty for anyone who steals merchandise from three separate mercantile establishments during an ongoing criminal episode.

Model Legislation

{title, enacting clause, etc.}

Section 1. {Short Title}

This Act may be cited as the Theft From Three Separate Mercantile Establishments Act.

Section 2.

Theft is a {lower grade} felony when the goods, wares, or merchandise shoplifted are of the value of {enter felony amount} or more, or when the goods, wares, or merchandise shoplifted are from three separate mercantile establishments during a criminal episode, regardless of the value of the goods.

Section 3. {Severability clause}

Section 4. {Repealer clause}

Section 5. {Effective date}

Adopted by ALEC's Criminal Justice Task Force at the Annual Meeting July 27, 2000.

Approved by full ALEC Board of Directors August, 2000.