Shoplifted $10.58 Worth Of Merchandise, Fined $350

[The Boy]

I was caught shoplifting $10.58 from kmart on 2/24/08. I know it was wrong now, and i regret it none stop. I am 14 years old, near the chicago area. I have recieved numerous punishments at home, and my life has been a living hell. The guards were casual about the whole process, they didn't call the police, just took my information, told me what was to happen, and called my father to come pick me up. I did not resist or anything, but this fine is ridiculous. My punishments at home are difficult, but i have to pay off this fine myself, and i just cannot believe they'd ask for that much on such a petty amount. Is there some way i can reduce this?! any advice is helpful

-Ben

[panther10758]

Its called "Civil Demand" its state law and 100% legal. You may (or your parents) talk to the recovery service but they have no obligation to reduce fine. Failure to pay could resultin fines tripling and/or a Civil Law suit which will be lost and fines again rise along with court costs and legal fees. what you feel is sufficent punishment does not matter.

[Happy Trails]

I agree with Panther. It's worth a shot, but they are not obligated to negotiate.

Sec. 16A-7. Civil Liability.

(a) A person who commits the offense of retail theft as defined in Section 16A-3 paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Code, shall be civilly liable to the merchant of the merchandise in an amount consisting of:


(i) actual damages equal to the full retail value of the merchandise as defined herein; plus
(ii) an amount not less than $100 nor more than $1,000; plus
(iii) attorney's fees and court costs.


(b) If a minor commits the offense of retail theft, the parents or guardian of said minor shall be civilly liable as provided in this Section; provided, however that a guardian appointed pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 shall not be liable under this Section. Total recovery under this Section shall not exceed the maximum recovery permitted under Section 5 of the "Parental Responsibility Law", approved October 6, 1969, as now or hereafter amended.

(c) A conviction or a plea of guilty to the offense of retail theft is not a prerequisite to the bringing of a civil suit hereunder.

(d) Judgments arising under this Section may be assigned.

[4eyedbuzzard]

...i just cannot believe they'd ask for that much on such a petty amount.

Stores just cannot believe they'd have to spend that much to prevent shoplifting - by having to hire and pay Loss Prevention employees, paying for theft deterrent and inventory tags, cameras, scanners etc.

You're just paying for the costs you and other shoplifters incur to the store and society in general - some $13 billion per year in stolen property.

[The Boy]

thanks for the first two responses, that is something i will definitely look into that with my parents.

To the last response, i know it was wrong, i was expecting something along the lines of $75-$125, but nothing like $350. Obviously the stores hike up the prices for all shoppers because they expect shoplifters to steal, so either way, i don't think think its right for the fine to be that much. They make so much money, i dont see how pummeling young offenders with such large fines makes sense, especially when they don't have that much money to begin with.

[JnKnowles83]

Fair or not, most people will think twice if thay know that a $2.00 lipstick is going to cost $200.00 in the long run- see the rationale?

[panther10758]

thanks for the first two responses, that is something i will definitely look into that with my parents.

To the last response, i know it was wrong, i was expecting something along the lines of $75-$125, but nothing like $350. Obviously the stores hike up the prices for all shoppers because they expect shoplifters to steal, so either way, i don't think think its right for the fine to be that much. They make so much money, i dont see how pummeling young offenders with such large fines makes sense, especially when they don't have that much money to begin with.

I find it almost humorous that the thief who wanted to deprive a retailer of his merchandise (without paying for it) causing higher prices to rest of us law abiding customers and numerous other cost complains about Civil Demand

[4eyedbuzzard]

...i have to pay off this fine myself, and i just cannot believe they'd ask for that much on such a petty amount. ...i don't think its right for the fine to be that much. ...pummeling young offenders with such large fines....They make so much money...

Yeah, it's terribly unfair getting "pummeled" with those fines and all. Heck, in Saudi Arabia you'd just get a slap on the wrist - with a meat cleaver.

Seriously though. You didn't get arrested. You're not being criminally charged. But please realize that your notion of "They make so much money" is just so much BS(especially in Kmart's case). Real people own these companies. And for the most part these people simply own a few shares of stock via their mutual funds, retirement accounts, etc. You are stealing from real people, most of whom aren't millionaires or anything, not just some nameless entity.

Be thankful you live in a society that values your life enough to allow you to make a bad decision, learn from it, endure a little financial pain as punishment, and not have it ruin your life.

[panther10758]

FYI

CCTV systems cost retailers tens of thousands to buy and maintain. This does not include systems that tie into registers of other higher tech systems


One item stolen (successfully) has a huge impact as a retailer must seel about 20 more of same item to recoup lost. This doe snot include time item is off sales floor for shoplifter who are caught! Thats lost also

A typical LPO makes aroun 20 grand a year (more or less) many stores employ at least 3 LPO's cost = $60,000.00

Each store might have an LPM or LPS making between 30 and 40 grand (est). This makes payroll to "prevent and/stop shoplifting over $100,000.00 a year

Then theres paperwork and other mis issues involved too many to document. This is just touching the service and rounded off. Your $350.00 is like spitting in the Ocean

[Bireyn]

Don't think i'm siding with him, I think the fine should be what it is, but for the amount he took in the first place, it's usually far less, in my county it's 10x plus the value so he wouldn't have even had to pay 120$, amazing the difference in fines seeing as i'm pretty close to him