Criminal Justice (Courts)

Nebraska's LB 464 creates a new criminal offense for "organized retail crime," defined as stealing retail merchandise with intent to resell, distribute, or transfer it for value. It prohibits actions like removing anti-theft devices, conspiring to steal, or knowingly purchasing stolen items, with penalties based on the total value of stolen goods: a serious felony for $5,000+ stolen, a lesser felony for $1,500-$5,000, and a misdemeanor for $500-$1,500. The law directly affects individuals committing organized theft schemes, not retailers or the general public. It requires prosecutors to prove the total value of stolen items in court and eliminates defenses if stolen items were misrepresented as stolen.