Charged for Shoplifting at Walmart - From Start to Finish

[ThouShaltNot]

Almost exactly the same thing that happened to me. See, I stole a 15 buck dvd. Ok, they take it back and I had to sign the form and such too. But when the cops got there, they never read me my miranda rights and then told me that all I would have to do is to show up to court and pay the 75 dollar fine I was charged. Fine. I go there and I find out that I need to apply for legal aid and that I could serve up to a year in jail. I know they probably won't put me in jail for a 15 dollar dvd, but still. So I wasn't read my rights and the cop misinformed me of my sentence. Is there anything in those two things that could help me out, do you know? Cuz I live in NY, so I don't know if things are different here than in Illinois.

[FrankieFigs]

Despite popular belief, the police do not have to read you your miranda rights everytime an arrest is made. The purpose of the miranda rights are to inform someone that they have the right to not incriminate themselves. Unless the officer wants you to fill out a statement, or is questioning you about your guilt, there is no reason for your rights to be read. If all he did was ask you to sign a form saying you will show up for court, he didn't need to read them to you.

[UFCRF]

In 2003,I got busted for shoplifting at Walmart.A pair of workshoes under $25.00. Decent quality.What a pain in the ass routine.The cops who arrested me even wanted to give me a break,but Walmart wouldn't hear of it.I did a terrible crime,very bad-in the meantime,we have bullshitters and scumbags that steal millions and get away with it;or if and when they do get caught,they get a slap on the wrist and do no time or easy time,because they can afford the really good lawyers.What I did was wrong ,I know this,but it pisses me off that a lot of people do a lot worse and either get away with it for a long time,or if they get caught,they get some cushion deal;maybe not all the time,but it happens a lot(Lizzie Grubman, the folks who stole from the Rosyln school district in NY,the Enron people,just to name a few). I suppose eventually,everyone gets caught and has to pay for their crimes,but it's sad that some people can get away with shit for years and years before they get caught,in the meantime the petty thief gets the brunt of the justice system.I'll try and make this interesting.I also signed a no trespassing order(I'm sorry I ever signed it).Anyway,I went to" stoplift" (a class that teaches about the pitfalls of shoplifting-the instructer/speaker,even told us that if you don't have money or political clout,most likely you will do some jail time.)and got the certificate.The charge was dismissed. Since my petty larceny charge was dismissed;I have been back to Walmart to shop.I payed their dam civil demand,much more than the amount I stole-tried to steal;I think they figure(and rightfully so),most people who get caught have most likely stolen before (like myself and didn't get caught),but when you do get caught,it all catches up with you,sometimes you pay out more money than you got away with in merchandise.I don't shoplift anymore( I don't have to;I either buy what I want,or if I can't afford it,I come back another time when I can). My advice to people;don't shoplift,eventually you'll get caught,and it ain't worth the trouble you have to go through.But for the die hards that are going to do it anyway;make sure it's worth it and you don't get caught.If the courts give you a break the first offence and you go and do the wrong thing again,I guess your somewhat of an asshole-it's really not a good idea to repeat stupid mistakes-especially ones that get you in trouble.As for myself I like Walmart,it's a great store;I don't think people should be barred for life from entering the store.Perhaps I'm a little bit of an asshole for thinking this way,but it's my problem and I'll deal with it.

[spice88]

I got caught shoplifting yesterday at wal-mart.
I went the the whole routine as above, but there were no cops involved. My mom talked to them and she is friends with the store manager. But before my mother got there, they said that i would have to go in front of the court and explain why i did it. They called the cops but i never had to see them. I never even talked to them.
Im wondering if i will still have to hire a lawyer? Please help me quick!

[FunnyBastard]

I also got caught at a wal-mart few months back holding a 5 dollar junk. I should've smacked that b*tch and ran, but I didn't. I'm not too sure when it was.... maybe early September 2005? I also live in Illinois. I signed some papers, paid 50 dollars in fine. No arrest, just the $50 fine. Does anyone know why my fine was so low compared to everyone elses?

A month later, i get a notice from wal-mart in the mail saying that I have to pay $225 in civil fines. Two weeks after, i get a second notice reminding me that I didn't pay the $225. Another two weeks later, i get my final/third notice saying i must pay the freaking $225.

Two days ago, i got a letter from the Law Offices of Bennett and Deloney, saying that if i dont' pay the $300, they will sue me in a civil court. It went up to $300. Oh well, i ain't paying a penny, and we'll see where it goes.

[PaulE]

"Oh well, i ain't paying a penny, and we'll see where it goes."

I'll tell ya where it'll go Funnybastard, they will take you to civil court, win either by default when you don't show or by judgement. You got caught, you signed the paper, you will pay sooner or later. I hate to spell it out like that but that's exactly where it will go.....it might go up in price as well, penalties, lawyer fees, the judge doesn't like your shirt.

[txz123]

The exact same thing happened to me yesterday, Dec 2, 2005. I was caught shopllifting ($14.00).I am a sophomore in college with promising careers after graduation. I do not care about being barred from Walmart or Sam's. I am really concerned about record. I can't get a rewarding career with a theft, criminal conviction. I realize what I have done was the dumbest mistake of my life. I am willing to do anything to clear my record. I am scheduled to get fingerprinted on Dec 5, 2005 and then summons to court at a later date. I am from Chattanooga so, does the Cilvil Demand apply to me? This is my first offense and I had a good record before. Is there anyway that my record can be cleared? Please give me some advice on what do? Thanks.

[Dontshoplift]

I got a lawyer and he told me exactly where it goes. On your credit report. Exactly where you don't want it to go because once it's on there everyone knows your a theif and even when you pay it will show and it doesn't drop off for 10 years. Pay it for your own sake, because they have you by the short hairs on this one.

[Dontshoplift]

My last court date to have this dismissed is Jan. 30th. I guess I just show up and they make sure I've stayed clean (my lawyer will show also) and I'm done. I guess my arrest will always show and sence I'm in Illinois I know it's 2 years to have it sealed. I'm not sure if it's 2 years from when it's dismissed or 2 years from the date of the arrest. I will keep this thread updated for others.

[Dontshoplift]

Today was my discharge day. My lawyer never showed. I was scared as all heck when he didn't show. It took 45 minutes before they called my name. The judge made me raise my right hand, one lawyer I didn't know stood next to me and asked if in my supervision period if I had been charged with anything else, I said no. Him and the judge verified all my fines had been paid and he said, Released and smacked the gavel and said have a good day. So I went upstairs to use the computer to check my records. Those records show everything. Even my last two no seatbelt tickets. On the computer it said Theft <$300/1st and Supervision. So I asked the lady next to me what that meant and she said it meant no convicition and supervision served. I asked if it would now be taken off my record and she said no, but there was no conviction. So who knows what would show in a backround check and if it could disqualify me for jobs if there was no conviction. I think in the state of IL you have to wait 2 years to have your record sealed.