Why courts order a shoplifting class
After a shoplifting or retail theft charge, a judge, prosecutor or probation officer may require a shoplifting class as part of probation, a plea agreement, or a diversion program that can lead to the charge being dismissed when you complete it. It comes up often for a first offense, for teens as well as adults. Your paperwork sets the number of hours and sometimes a deadline.
Courts use different names for the same kind of class: shoplifting class, shoplifting prevention class, anti-shoplifting course, petty theft class, retail theft program or theft awareness program. If your paperwork names a specific program or provider, ask your probation officer before you book anything else.
Some stores also mail a “civil demand” letter asking you to pay a set amount. That is separate from your court case and from the class, so ask your attorney how to handle it.
What the class covers
- How shoplifting affects store employees, businesses and the community
- Stress and emotional triggers that can come before a theft
- Decision-making and impulse control in the moment
- Personal accountability, and repairing harm through restitution
- The legal consequences of a theft charge, now and later
- Practical strategies for changing the behavior and handling high-risk situations
How many hours, and what it costs
Shoplifting classes are ordered by the hour. Book exactly the number on your paperwork. Prices for the theft awareness and shoplifting class, and how each length runs:
| Length | Price | How it runs |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | $100 | One 4-hour session |
| 8 hours | $175 | 4-hr intake + 4 one-hour sessions · as little as 1 week |
| 12 hours | $250 | 4-hr intake + 8 one-hour sessions · as little as 2 weeks |
| 16 hours | $325 | 4-hr intake + 12 one-hour sessions · as little as 3 weeks |
Not sure how many hours you need? Ask your probation officer, or call us at (734) 834-6934 before you book.
Taking the class live online
Every class is live on Zoom and led by Jennifer Schroeder, M.S., CADC. You join from home with your camera on and take part in the discussion, and your attendance is checked during class, so every hour you complete is documented. A 4-hour class is done in one live session. Longer programs start with a 4-hour live intake, then live 1-hour sessions — up to 5 a week — so an 8-hour program can be done in about a week and a 16-hour program in about 3 weeks. If your deadline is close, call (734) 834-6934 before booking to check your earliest start and finish dates.
If the class is for a teenager
Our theft awareness class serves teens as well as adults. For a teen, call us at (734) 834-6934 before booking so we can set it up with a parent or guardian, and check with the juvenile court or diversion program that a live online class fits the order.
Proof for the court
The moment your booking is paid, we email you a Proof of Enrollment letter showing your program, your required hours and your first class date. A copy is saved under Documents in your client portal, so you can give it to your probation officer, prosecutor or attorney right away.
Your signed letter of completion is emailed to you the day you finish your required hours. It lists your hours and completion date, and it carries a certificate ID that anyone can check at schroedercounseling.com/verify.
Before you book
Your court, prosecutor or probation department decides which classes it accepts. Check your paperwork for the number of hours and any named provider, and ask whether a live online class is allowed. For more detail, see what courts require from an online theft class and what to expect from an anti-theft class for probation.
If your court or probation department does not accept the certificate we issued for your class, we refund your payment in full. Contact us within 30 calendar days of your completion date and include written documentation from the court or probation department. See our guarantee for details.