Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Shoplifting in Texas

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to come here and post a complete account of my experience. I've noticed that a lot of people come looking for advice when they've just gotten in trouble but never seem to come back and relay how things played out.

In July 2009, I got caught shoplifting from a small store in a Houston, Texas mall. I was 18 at the time. It was a "small" amount, I can't remember the exact number but it was $8 and some change -- a bottle of nail polish and a cheap ring. Had to go in the back office with the employee who caught me, who made me fill out some paperwork for the company (admitting what I stole and signing a form saying I wouldn't come back to the store) and called the mall security guard who gave me a citation for theft under $50, a Class C misdemeanor here. He told me I could just pay it off and that would take care of it, but when I got home and did some research I realized that would leave a huge, ugly black mark on my otherwise clean (aside from a few traffic tickets) record.

After freaking out and debating it for awhile, I decided it was best to tell my dad. I talked to my parents about it and they were obviously really angry and disappointed, but I'm 110% sure that telling them was the right decision and if you're in the same position, I advise you to do the same.

We hired a lawyer and from there, they pushed the date back a few times and after several months, I went to my first court date. The store has the option of sending an employee there to serve as a witness and they hadn't done so, so the judge reset the date to give them another chance. Some months later, it was time to go back. My lawyer spoke to the judge and due to the relatively small amount and the fact that Houston is a big city with a full courtroom, my case was dismissed.

I know that most people don't think to look on these forums to research potential consequences of crimes until they have actually committed them, but if by any chance you're considering shoplifting -- DON'T DO IT!! Seriously. You may think you're slick & smart and you won't get caught, but it will inevitably happen, I promise. I'm a college student who has always been a relatively "good kid" and never had any kind of skirmish with the law before this incident. Let me tell you from experience, it scared the living hell out of me. I certainly learned my lesson; I haven't stolen as much as a paper clip since and don't intend to. Besides the fact that it's immoral to steal someone else's property, you don't want future employers looking at your record and seeing that you have a theft charge (I believe it's considered a "crime of moral turpitude") and I can assure you that will stick with you a lot longer than whatever silly object you steal.

But if you are in a similar situation and you've already gotten caught, my advice is not to freak out. Your best bet is to get a lawyer, without a doubt. You're way more likely to get deferred adjudication or even a dismissal that way. If you're young and still financially dependent on your parents like I was, I suggest telling them; it will suck but it's worth it in the long run.

I know this was kind of lengthy, but if it helped even one person, my goal has been accomplished.