Court Date for Being an Accessory to a Shoplifting in Sanford Maine

My question involves criminal law for the state of: <Maine
I was with some friends at the sanford maine walmart and they got caught shoplifting, i was aware of what they were doing so i just turned the other way and looked at something. I knew they wouldnt listen if i told them to stop. They got caught and they took me to the back room too because i was with them. They took a couple shirts and some food. We all got court dates. The cop pulled me aside and said that i was a necessity because I didn't steal anything but i was with them. I got a letter that said i had to pay a $400 court fee. Will I need to pay any fines? will i get sentenced to anything? What would happen if i didn't pay the court fee? Is there any chance they'll dismiss it becuse i have a clean criminal background? will they get fined? how much? whats the punishment? Thank you.

Is it a Court Fee or a Civil Demand?

Court fine: Pay it or a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

Civil Demand: You pay it. If you can't pay in full, make arrangements (there should be a phone number in the letter).

If you don't pay it:
- You get another letter. The amount could double. Then triple.
- Then the store can file a suit in Civil Court. And add in legal fees.
- You didn't mention your age....so I will guess you're an adult. It would also affect your credit rating.

Next time you're friends shoplift and you're aware of it...tell them to stop. And then go find a store employee, tell the first one you see that your friends are shoplifting and you want to report them to LP. You may lose their friendship, but you won't be getting a criminal charge or a lot of fines (great friends you have....bet they're not picking up your tab, huh?)

I am an adult but I'm a necessity to the shoplifting, I'm not actually going to court for shoplifting. What will happen to me? They have it on camera since it's walmart and they know I didn't take anything so they were saying I was a necessity to the crime and need to go to court. I have my own court date though. Will I get another fine in court? Is there any chance I could get community service?

I believe you are not a necessity, but an ACCESSORY to the crime. Because you had knowledge of it.

Based on your post...that is the Civil Demand you received. Pay it.

If you can afford a lawyer....get one.

If you can't....plead "Not Guilty" and ask for a public defender.

(please see all our stickied posts to see more info)

Definitely expect court costs and fines; possibly community service (in addition to the fine). If you have not already had to do Fingerprint and Mugshot, you will be given a date to do so.

Public Defender...you likely will have to pay for that service also.

Shoplifting is costly, isn't it? And being an accessory is just as costly.

Oh...wait til you see how it screws up your job possibilities for a long time. You know all those things that say "Criminal Background Check"....

You don't need to be a dick about it.. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'd never shoplift myself and didn't know what to do in the situation because I've never been in a position like that before...

Not being a dick (besides, I'm female...., so I believe the term is "bitch"). Just telling you straight up.

And now you know what to do next time. Consider it a lesson learned, although a very expensive lesson.

Quote:

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Quoting Ineednewfriends

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You don't need to be a dick about it.. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'd never shoplift myself and didn't know what to do in the situation because I've never been in a position like that before...

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What you are saying is akin to saying, "I just drove the getaway car... I didn't rob the bank."

If you don't stop a shoplifting crime in progress, you can be seen as aiding in it's commission... and I would agree that was the case here.

You saw them do it, you know they did it and you were going to go home with them after it was done.

Yup, guilty as they are.