If a person is arrested for stealing $125 worth of merchandise, and this is their second offense, what classification does this retail theft fall under?

The classification of the retail theft in this scenario is determined by the value of the merchandise stolen and the offender's history of prior offenses. In many jurisdictions, a theft involving merchandise worth $125 would typically be classified as a misdemeanor rather than a felony, especially when it is a second offense.

Given the context, an M-2 classification represents a second-degree misdemeanor, which is often applicable to cases where the theft amount falls within a certain range that is not considered severe enough to constitute a felony. The individual’s prior offense also contributes to the legal interpretation that the act is more serious than a first-time misdemeanor but not elevated to a felony classification.

In this instance, the threshold of value stolen and the fact that it is a second offense leads to the conclusion that the retail theft is categorized as a second-degree misdemeanor, justifying the answer provided.