Petty Theft in California Less Than $20
My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
First Time doing anything Illegal
I was caught By Loss prevention at K MART
They said they called police an they were on the way, as I signed the letters. Police never came. I was released and they told me If I was caught again I would go to Jail.
I recieved a letter stating the merchandise was valued at 10 dollars, and they want a demand for $400 penal code 490.5
questions
1: If I get caught stealing again I will go to jail?Is this only for their store?
2.Can they lie about the merchandise value? Im pretty sure it was under 5 dollars.
3.What do they base the demand money on?
Anyways I feel pretty stupid for shoplifting.
Re: Petty Theft in California Less Than $20
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Quoting
macrous99
1: If I get caught stealing again I will go to jail?Is this only for their store?
K-Mart can't put you in jail. All they can do is report your crime to the police. It's up to the district attorney and the court to figure out what to do with you. But why not give up your life of crime? You apparently aren't good at it.
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2.Can they lie about the merchandise value? Im pretty sure it was under 5 dollars.
The value of the merchandise is largely inconsequential. It doesn't necessarily mean the current sale price either.
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3.What do they base the demand money on?
It's a function of what they feel they can justify to defray the loss you and people like you cause them. It's not just the stolen merchandise, but all the LP efforts they go through.
Re: Petty Theft in California Less Than $20
The next time you get caught - anywhere, not just KMart - you can be arrested; and believe me, if you get arrested, it will cost a lot more than $400.
Next time you go to shoplift, think of that Civil Demand Letter for $400 and ask yourself if you which price you would rather pay.
Speaking of K-Mart....I bet you signed some papers in the office. One probably banned you from stepping foot into KMart/Sears stores, with the threat of Criminal Trespass.