Lawyer caught stealing food from convenience store, loses license

A lawyer in Beijing has been sentenced to five months of detention, with a five-month probation period, and fined 3,000 yuan ($410) for shoplifting various items, including boxed meals and cakes, from a convenience store, according to a report by the Redstar News media outlet based in Chengdu on Wednesday.

The lawyer surnamed Liu, born in 1992, was convicted of theft by the Beijing Chaoyang District People's Court, as revealed on the China Judgements Online website, operated by the Supreme People's Court.

Liu, who has previously handled many cases primarily in the civil field, was found to have committed more than 30 thefts between May and September 2020 at a convenience store situated in Chaoyang district. She used self-checkout devices to evade payment or underpay for items, resulting in a total value of over 1,800 yuan.

Subsequently, Liu was apprehended and brought to justice. She pleaded guilty to her actions and compensated the store for its financial losses.

The prosecution argued that Liu's actions, carried out with the intention of unlawfully acquiring goods, constituted the crime of theft. However, taking into account her confession, restitution for the store's economic losses, and the forgiveness extended by the victim, the prosecution imposed a lenient sentence of five months of detention, a 3,000 yuan fine, and a five-month probationary period.

On Aug 24, Liu's lawyer's license was revoked in accordance with the law governing lawyers, as stated in a penalty decision notice issued by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice.