I have defended clients charged with the crime of shoplifting who had no real appreciation for the seriousness of the offense.  While the punishment may seem extreme to some, shoplifting laws can have long term consequences.  In Mississippi the punishment for shoplifting is as follows:

(a) Upon a first shoplifting conviction the defendant shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or punished by imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(b) Upon a second shoplifting conviction the defendant shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or punished by imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(6) Upon a third or subsequent shoplifting conviction the defendant shall be guilty of a felony and fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or imprisoned for a term not exceeding five (5) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

MS Code Ann. SEC. 97-23-93

Whether the defendant will receive the maximum punishment available depends on the county or municipality where the offense occurred.