What charge could a suspect face for stealing retail items valued at $231.81?

The appropriate charge for stealing retail items valued at $231.81 is shoplifting or larceny by stealing. This is classified under Massachusetts law as a specific form of theft that involves taking merchandise from a retail establishment without paying for it. In this case, the value of the stolen items is significant enough to warrant a more serious consideration than petty theft, which typically pertains to items valued at a lower amount.

In Massachusetts, the distinction is important because larceny laws categorize offenses based on the value of the stolen goods. Items worth more than a certain threshold fall into a statute that holds offenders to a higher consequence. The specified value of $231.81 exceeds the low threshold for petty theft but does not reach the threshold that would escalate it to a more severe charge such as grand larceny.

Other options do not apply as directly to this situation. Burglary involves unlawful entry into a building with the intent to commit a crime inside, which is not the case here. The general charge of theft is too broad without specifying circumstances like shoplifting. Therefore, the most accurate and specific charge the suspect could face in this scenario is shoplifting or larceny by stealing.