Criminal proceedings. (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 subchapter 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 subchapter. (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.) Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 3-443. Emergency Legislation 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). Temporary Legislation 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. Act of 1992 (D.C. Act 9-155, February 21, 1992, 39 DCR 1354). Temporary Legislation 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. Editor's Notes Because of the codification of D.C. Law 20-34 as subchapter II of this chapter, and the designation of the preexisting text of Chapter 1 as subchapter I, 'subchapter' has been substituted for 'chapter', where applicable, in this section.
District of Columbia Legal Code