If I steal and put it back, will that count as stealing?

[Vivi]

Sorry for this newbie question ;( Really need help. So I stole from Alvor, a blacksmith NPC, and I didnt realize an old lady was standing in the corner. She saw me and shouted at me; nothing happened...it was only her. But I read that I could go to JAIL for that...and I KNOW what jail is like in Skyrim. So Im freaking out right now. I want to put the item back...would that STILL count as stealing?!

[Clever Monkey]

still stealing.

pay your fine criminal scum.

[gnewna]

Best thing to do is find a guard and confess (speak to them) - they'll ask if you're going to come quietly or whatever, tell them you'll pay your bounty (I think for theft it's like 5 septims). They'll take the money and any stolen items you're carrying (if you have anything you don't want confiscated, give it to a follower or hide it somewhere safe before finding a guard). They may also take you to the nearest jail to fill out some paperwork, so you may get a load screen and find yourself outside the jail. (No paperwork-filling-out to actually do in game!)

Putting the item back won't make any difference as to whether you get the bounty or not (every so often I accidentally steal something in a tavern when I'm trying to talk to an NPC and one of the 'decorative' bits of bric a brac is in the way, dropping it doesn't make any difference.)

[eyeC]

Yep. Still counts as stealing.

[Clever Monkey]

Originally posted by gnewna:

I accidentally steal something in a tavern when I'm trying to talk to an NPC and one of the 'decorative' bits of bric a brac is in the way, dropping it doesn't make any difference.)

or your follower bumps you out of alignment. damn you lydia.

[mooles mun]

If you steal an item, even if you put it back, it counts as being stolen and you will be worth a bounty. When you have a bounty on your head, people may become aggressive towards you and you will be approached by any guards in sight.

When a guard approaches you, you have 3 options:

1. Cover the cost of the item you stole. Once you pay off your bounty, any stolen items will be removed from your inventory, but you are free to go about your buisness again. This is the simplest option and often the best course of action.

2. Go to jail. You slowly lose EXP while in jail, and your equipment is taken from you. You can either break out and find your equipment or wait until your sentence is over.

3. Fight the guards. If you're a new player and you've only just gotten to Alvor the Blacksmith, you will probably not be able to fight them and will die.

Once your bounty has been cleared, it's as if you never stole anything. There are no reprocussions to your character: no grudges are held and people will treat you the same.

[Solomon Hawk]

Or if you can ... kill everyone who saw you. Bounty eliminated. (No witnesses)