(a) The fact that a person conceals merchandise for which he or she has not paid the full value, and the retail merchandise has been taken beyond the area within the retail establishment or premises of a retail establishment where payment for it is to be made, shall be prima facie evidence that the person has possessed, carried away, or transferred the retail merchandise with the intention of depriving the retail merchant of all or part of the full value of the retail merchandise without paying the full value of the retail merchandise in violation of this article.

Attorney's Note

Under the Alabama Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Violationup to 30 daysup to $200
For details, see Ala. Code § 13A-5-7
criminal case

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 13A-8-231

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(b)

(1) A violation of this article shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the person intended to deprive the merchant of all or part of the full retail value of the merchandise without paying the full value of the merchandise.
(2) The unaltered price tag or other marking on the merchandise, or duly identified photographs of the merchandise, shall be prima facie evidence of the merchandise’s actual retail value and ownership.
(c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to provide that the mere possession of goods or the production by shoppers of improperly priced merchandise for checkout shall constitute prima facie evidence of guilt.
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