CdA shoplifter loses burglary appeal
The Idaho Supreme Court has upheld the state’s burglary law, over a challenge from a Coeur d’Alene man that it’s unconstitutional because it was used to charge him with felony burglary instead of misdemeanor shoplifting for taking items from a Wal-Mart store. Idaho’s burglary law simply requires that a person enter a place with an intent to commit a crime – and theft qualifies – so shoplifters are routinely charged with felony burglary if the state can show they entered the store with the intent to steal. Ryan Rawlings stole several items from a Wal-Mart store in Kootenai County in May of 2014; he placed them in a shopping cart, wheeled it through the self-checkout line, and left without paying. When he was arrested outside, he told a sheriff’s deputy he’d always been able to take items from Wal-Mart stores in the past without getting caught/Betsy Russell, SR. More here.
Question: Sounds like this guy got what he deserved. Thoughts?