How Long Do I Wait to Ensure I Won't Be Prosecuted for Previous Shoplifting Incidents

[Nightshade]

i've shoplifted in the recent past (prolly 50 or so dollars of merchandise) but never got caught. how long do i wait before i can ensure that i won't be prosecuted for this previous shoplifting incidence? it happened about 2-3 months ago, i can't remember exactly. i was suicidal and broke, so i stole drugs from a pharmacy with the intent of ending my life, thinking that i wouldn't care if i wasn't caught that day, i'd be dead the next. then i had a change of heart and decided not to kill myself...and now i've got these drugs lying around that i don't know what to do with.

so as i said, how long before i can consider myself safe? if you aren't caught immediately, do the stores eventually check their video cameras (like by year end or something), discover that you had stolen something, and call the police? and, supposing that it's too late to prosecute, is it possible that the store i stole from will keep a screenshot of my face in case i return (without my knowledge of course)?

even if i am home free, should i return the merchandise? will they prosecute me if i confess to having stolen something? i've heard that its best to have a friend return the stolen merchandise, not yourself, so you don't end up seeing them face to face.

i must stress, that i've learned my lesson, i'm reading a book now that mentions that if you're caught with a criminal offense once (ALL IT TAKES IS ONE TIME), you'll ruin your future, your rights will be taken away, and you will be unable to find a decent job. i hope to god that that doesn't happen to me. i've learned my lesson, no more petty theft.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You didn't identify the state. In most states the limitations period for shoplifting misdemeanors is one to two years. In some it's considerably longer. If the charge is a felony due to either the nature of the theft (a controlled substance) or the manner in which you stole it, you could be looking at a considerably longer limitations period.

[tc498]

Relax,you should be fine but you can't really be sure until the sol run out. I would stay out of the stores you took stuff from. If your arrested by some small chance take it from there,it's can be problem but it's not the end of world. Remmber this next time you think of stealing again. Many people are not sorry or truly regretful until they actually are caught.

I would flush the drugs down the toliet,having them is probably a worse offense then stealing.