Madison, WI Header
File #: 23022    Version: 1 Name: Retail theft
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 6/28/2011 In control: PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW COMMITTEE
On agenda: 8/2/2011 Final action: 8/2/2011
Enactment date: 8/11/2011 Enactment #: ORD-11-00107
Title: Creating Section 23.55 of the Madison General Ordinances to prohibit being party to a retail theft.
Sponsors: Jill Johnson, Matthew J. Phair, Paul E. Skidmore
Fiscal Note
There may be an increase in General Fund revenues of an estimated $45,000 to $60,000 annually derived from fines, assuming the issuance of 150 to 200 citations per year.
Title
Creating Section 23.55 of the Madison General Ordinances to prohibit being party to a retail theft.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS:  This section will prohibit being party to a retail theft.  It covers those individuals who are involved in the commission of a retail theft, even if they are not the person who actually physically removes the merchandise from the retail establishment.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1.      Section 23.55 entitled "Party to a Retail Theft" of the Madison General Ordinances is created to read as follows:
"23.55      PARTY TO A RETAIL THEFT.
(1)      Retail theft is a violation found under Sec. 23.54, MGO.  It shall be unlawful to be a party to a retail theft violation.
(2)      A person is considered a party to retail theft if the person:
(a)      Intentionally aids and abets the commission of the retail theft; or
(b)      Is a party to a conspiracy with another to commit the retail theft or advises, hires, counsels or otherwise procures another to commit the retail theft.  
(3)      Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 66.0107 and 943.50(3m)(a), in any action or proceeding for violation of this ordinance, duly identified and authenticated photographs of merchandise which was the subject of the violation may be used as evidence in lieu of producing the merchandise.
(4)      Penalties.
(a)      Any person violating this section shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), exclusive of costs.
(b)      Any person violating this ordinance may be subject to restitution as set forthin Wis. Stat. § 800.093."
2.      Subdivision (a) of Subsection (3) entitled "Schedule of Deposits" of Section 1.08 entitled "Issuance of Citations for Violations of Certain Ordinances and Providing a Schedule of Cash Deposits" of the Madison General Ordinances is amended by creating therein the following:
"Offense    
Ord. No./ Adopted Statute No.
Deposit   
 Party to Retail Theft.
               23.55
  $300"
EDITOR'S NOTE:  New bail deposits must be approved by the Municipal Judge prior to adoption.  These deposits have been so approved.