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Caught Shoplifting in Maine, First Offense

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  • 07-15-2010, 04:29 PM
    surfingcamell
    Caught Shoplifting in Maine, First Offense
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maine

    Hello,
    I have read up a great deal after today of being caught shoplifting with my friend. We were at a local surplus store, and took some shirts and make up, etc. I asked for my total after they caught me and took down my information, called the police, and wrote up the papers. My total was around $50. I showed sincerely how sorry I was and tried my best for the cop and for the AP employees to see that as well. I am 19, this is my first time doing this and being caught. I don't want this one my record because I move around a lot and need jobs and I want to go to a good school, travel the world and become a citizen of Austria. I want my record whipped clear. I have heard of Pretrial diversion, and how it has been called by several different names. I was wondering if anyone knew off the top of their heads, other than calling the local Attorny's office to find out if Maine's laws support this. It seems to me that there is a possibility to do that so that I can have a clean record, have learned my lesson, and never do it again. Thank you for your time and energy in reviewing my post.

    Biz
  • 07-15-2010, 05:34 PM
    BrendanjKeegan
    Re: Caught Shoplifting in Maine, First Offense
    Not sure if this answers your question, but after a quick google search, I found this:

    http://www.mainepretrial.org/

    Brendan
  • 07-16-2010, 10:56 AM
    alisa78
    Re: Caught Shoplifting in Maine, First Offense
    You may be eligible for diversion. Talk to an attorney.

    If you are convicted, there is a big chance that you can get it expunged after 5 years. Even expungement of felonies seem to be an option in Maine. You have to make sure you are an exemplary citizen and don't have any identical convictions. Check out this link:

    http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com...ment/maine.htm

    "this is my first time doing this and being caught."

    Now here is a piece of advice: don't EVEN try to claim this in the court. While theoretically it is possible that it was your first attempt, judge will most likely not believe that. First time offenders don't just steal 50-100$ make-up, dresses, shirts, purses, etc. (I am not only referring to you but to a few other threads that claim it is their first time, with a dollar amount of 50-100 or more). First time offenders typically steal a pack of gum, socks, toothbrush, etc., something that has < than 10$ value. And, being a criminal psychologist, I know that most shoplifters that get caught and sometimes convicted are scared ****less that the same exact store (or other stores, for that matter) will find out of the occasions the person has stolen before. But lucky for them, stores have too much stuff going on at any given moment and they don't have time to be digging into the old tapes, nor do they keep tapes beyond 6 months, I believe. But I may be wrong about the 6 month period.

    Most likely you will be fine, or you can find some kind of solution to conviction problem, if you get convicted. Either way, hope you learned you lesson. Good luck to you.

    Correction: Stores get rid of tapes after certain time if they don't see anything suspicious on them. But then again, if they see something suspicious, I would imagine that they would follow-up on those sooner rather than later.

    I have been asked a few times if some/all stores keep a permanent record of their security tapes. Or is there a more reasonable time limit? Just curious. I would assume that with advance technologies available today, it would be possible to keep a permanent record. Does anyone have any information on this? Thanks.
  • 07-22-2010, 08:13 AM
    surfingcamell
    Re: Caught Shoplifting in Maine, First Offense
    thank you!
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