Caught Stealing, Police Responded but Not Arrested - What Happens Next

[Jo1]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan

Recently, I made the worst decision of my life and attempt to steal an item from Walmart, valuing around at $48. As soon as Security caught me, I fully cooperated, went back to their office, gave them back the stolen merchandise, and gave them the information they requested (Name, phone number, approx.weight), even my social security number. They also took my picture. A city police officer was summoned. He took down all information I gave to the AP, and asked me questions. Then he told me I'm lucky he had something to do. So he will put out a warrant for my arrest on friday, and have them pick me up late afternoon, so i can't see a judge until monday. He left before I did, leaving me with no citation. This was my first offense to walmart and would be my first (ever) offense to the law. Also The Asset Protection Associate said I can come back because i fully cooperated.

My questions are:

What should I expect next?
Will my employers be notified?
If charged, will this show up on my background check, even if it is a misdemeanor?
Can I turn myself in when a warrant has been filed against me? Would that look good?
How can i prove that I am extremely remorseful and swear on my life, will never do it again?
Why am I such an idiot?

[Riply]

Recently, I made the worst decision of my life and attempt to steal an item from Walmart, valuing around at $48. ..........gave them back the stolen merchandise, .......

That's not an "atempt" to steal.....as soon as you either hid the item or walked past the point of purchase, it was stolen.

Then he told me I'm lucky he had something to do. So he will put out a warrant for my arrest on friday, and have them pick me up late afternoon, so i can't see a judge until monday.

Highly unusual, but it can happen. That would, of course, mean you'll spend the weekend in jail.

What should I expect next?

It depends on whether or not the officer actually does take the warrant. Oddly enough, you might have actually been given a "free ride" this time. For $48 and no criminal record, many officers won't bother. And, to be honest, in most jurisdictions, it's the AP who has to swear out the warrant, not the officer, because he didn't witness the offense. (Michigan might do things differently)

[Will my employers be notified?
If charged, will this show up on my background check, even if it is a misdemeanor?
Can I turn myself in when a warrant has been filed against me? Would that look good?

Your employers won't likely be notified directly, but they may find out if the charge/arrest is published somewhere (or somebody else finds out and tells them).

Even an arrest can show up on a background check, but they generally don't. Most background checks cover convictions.

You most likely could call the Sheriff's Office or Police Department to find out if a warrant has been issued, and surrender yourself, to avoid the embarassment of being arrested and handcuffed in a public place.

If this is a first offense, you'd likely get probation. Since you returned the merchandise, there probably wouldn't be any restitution ordered. A fine is possible, but many first offenders (misdemeanors) often get away with probation alone.