Caught Shoplifting and Need Help

**mka12345** · 10-30-2006, 08:07 PM

Hi. I'm a 19-year-old college student in Michigan. About a couple weeks ago, a buddy of mine talked about taking stuff from Meijer because they supposedly don't catch many shoplifters.

Stupidly, I took that to mind- I'm usually a great person, never did something like this in my life, but I went to Meijer a week later, thinking about stealing some packs of cards. I even had them in my hand for awhile- I set them down somewhere else in the store and left, though, afraid of getting caught. This happened again yesterday.

Then, earlier today, I actually tried it. And guess what. I was caught committing retail fraud of the 3rd degree, attempting to steal $54 worth of cards, by a store detective who had is eye on me when I first picked up the cards. When I tried walking out, they stopped me, took me into a room, filled out paperwork and asked me questions. I was perfectly compliant, even shaking at times- I was that scared. They had a police officer come in and do some more paperwork, asked me questions, then set up a court date in late November.

I really need some help on this. I'm not a criminal- I've had a clean record prior to this. I'm in the Honors program at my college w/ a 3.62 GPA. I have a good job on campus. I immediately talked with my boss about this, and he said he's behind me 100% and knows I'm a good person.

The question is, What's the worst that's going to happen? I told my parents, and they're in full support of me and will be there with me on the court date to let the judge know that I'm not a bad person. I plan to get a lawyer for this as well.

I know what I did was stupid. And nobody's more ashamed of it than me. Can I get this case dropped from my criminal record, and what's the worst that could happen to me? I don't want to be in jail.

Please help.

panther10758 · 10-30-2006, 08:36 PM

Relax its a first offense most likely will be probation 2 - 3 years which i snothing other than vilate no law. Fine (that varies again not high) Community service unknown amount of hours and thats about it basically. you can also expect a Civil Demand notice in mail this is outside of courts and will be anywhere from $50.00 - $1000.00 depending on state laws normal is around $200.00 thats it other than a criminal record you will now have. small price to pay for beign stupid. If your state has a diversion program you might want to go for that it could help you avoid a conviction for theft on your record.

**mka12345** · 10-30-2006, 08:42 PM

Thank you for responding.

I have two more questions... I did answer the officer's questions rather than not talk (since I have the right not to). Did I pretty much just plead guilty by doing that, and is that a bad or good idea?

Also... I'm a journalism major. Do you think my future employers would run a background check on me and take my retail fraud that I committed today into much consideration? Is this something I should really worry about and try to get the incident off my record?

Thank you again.

panther10758 · 10-30-2006, 08:47 PM

The Store detectives has plenty of evidence without your confession so dont worry about that you wouldnt get off and wont! Far as employers I cant speak for employer they each have theri own hiring rules but any background check will have this show up! Now I know what your thinking then I will plead not guilty and try to get out of it, yes you could could but its VERY unlikely you willwin besides you know you did it! If you fight charge and lose judge will likely give you stiffer sentence.

**mka12345** · 11-01-2006, 01:52 PM

I have no intention of trying to not plead guilty. I plan on telling the truth.

But is there no way to get this incident off my record after 2-3 years, even? Will I be able to get this expunged?? If I stay out of trouble while I'm on probation, will that help at all?

I'm a good person, and I plan to tell that to the judge, while my parents will do the same. I'm clean, I'm a good student. I don't plan on stealing ever again.

I know that sounds like something they all say, but I mean it. I want to do whatever I can to get this incident off my record, in my past so I can move forward.

**aaron** · 11-01-2006, 02:02 PM

You previously indicated that you planned to get a lawyer. If your county offers a diversion program for shoplifting, your lawyer can advise you of that option - a diversion program would allow you to avoid a criminal conviction. If not, discuss "HYTA" with your lawyer, another way younger offenders can avoid getting a criminal conviction. If this remains your only criminal conviction you would eventually be eligible for expungement, but it's better if you can avoid the conviction in the first place.