Petty Shoplifting - How Will It Affect My Criminal Record
My question involves criminal law for the state of: DC
I was caught shoplifting a $20 item from Best Buy. Police Officer approached me while in the store and escorted me to a private room where I was asked to provide my drivers license and sign a document barring me from the store for 1 year. I was not arrested but was told if I return to the store within these 12 months I will be arrested for unlawfully trespassing.
How will this infraction effect me? Will this be on my permanent record? Will this effect me working on a government contract? In applying to graduate schools? Etc.
Your legal advice is most appreciated. Thank you.
Re: Petty Shoplifting - How Will It Affect My Criminal Record
The police officer you encountered is actually a Loss Prevention employee for Best Buy, unless they had a uniformed police officer in the store that day. Most likely Best Buy has a $ threshold that is slightly higher than the amount you allegedly stole, which is why they didn't have you arrested and charged. Thus, they opted to have you banned from their store(s). If this is the case, consider yourself lucky, as you were not prosecuted for a criminal offense. I would advise you to stay clear of all Best Buy stores, or else you may find yourself being arrested and charged with criminal trespass (and possibly a criminal record).
However, are you positive that the document you signed only stated that you were banned from Best Buy, or did it also contain information about a Civil Demand?