(a) The recovery of damages from the alleged offender shall not prohibit criminal prosecution of the alleged offender.
(b) The recovery of civil damages by a merchant or a finding of liability under this chapter shall not be admissible in a criminal proceeding.
(c) A conviction or plea of guilty of fraud, shoplifting, or theft is not a prerequisite to the maintenance of a civil action authorized by this chapter.
CREDIT(S)
(May 16, 1992, D.C. Law 9-98, § 4, 39 DCR 678; July 22, 1992, D.C. Law 9-132, § 4(a), 39 DCR 4058; Sept. 29, 1992, D.C. Law 9-163, § 5(a), 39 DCR 5705.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 3-443.
Temporary Amendments of Section
For D.C. Law 9-97, see note to § 27-101.
Section 4(a) of D.C. Law 9-132 in (a) inserted “not”.
Section 5(b) of D.C. Law 9-132 provided that the act shall expire on the 225th day of its having taken effect.
Emergency Act Amendments
For temporary addition of chapter, see §§ 2-7 of the Merchant's Civil Recovery for Criminal Conduct Emergency Act of 1991 (D.C. Act 9-110, November 25, 1991, 38 DCR 7304).
For temporary addition of chapter, see §§ 2-7 of the Merchant's Civil Recovery for Criminal Conduct Congressional Recess Emergency Act of 1992 (D.C. Act 9-155, February 21, 1992, 39 DCR 1354).
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 9-97, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 27-101.
For legislative history of D.C. Law 9-98, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 27-101.
Law 9-132, the “Retired Police Officer Redeployment Temporary Amendment Act of 1992,” was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 9-487. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on April 7, 1992, and May 6, 1992, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on May 28, 1992, it was assigned Act No. 9-217 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 9-132 became effective on July 22, 1992.
Law 9-163, the “Retired Police Officer Redeployment Amendment Act of 1992,” was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 9-498, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations and reassigned to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on June 2, 1992, and July 7, 1992, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on July 21, 1992, it was assigned Act No. 9-258 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 9-163 became effective on September 29, 1992.