Going to Court for Shoplifting

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Quoting free9man

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Civil demand and criminal court costs are 2 different animals. So yeah, you are looking at $500+ total for your $50 crime. The fine mentioned by ollie did not include the additional fees that Pandora did include. Is it possible that you might escape with only $150 court fine and $150 Civil Demand? I suppose anything is possible but you should prepare yourself (and your parentals) for the probability of costs more along the line of what Pandora listed.

As a side note, I can't believe they took your picture. Most companies do not allow taking pictures of minors. But different strokes for different folks.

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Really? May I use what they did against them in any way? or is it just a policy of people? I also find it straight how the cops didn't take a picture of me but the attendent or the LP did. Is it legal? I don't expect a 150 dollar civil demand either. I hope to gain a 150 - 300 dollar one. If i get over that, then I'll probably weep in the corner and realize what I have done. To solve the situation, I'll probably sell all of my clothes and electronis to pay it off, since I am old enough to do that mistake. (I should be old enough to resolve it :P)

I don't know that company's rules so I can't say if they did anything wrong or not. If they did, the most you can achieve is to get them to erase/destroy the photo.

Thank you for clarifying that for me. Since I can't really try to slice off some of my civil demand, is there a way I can get no fees in the court? I never knew you had to pay for community service.. Sounds like it is a load of BS since I am doing all of the work, but then again, I am the criminal here.

So in california, civil demands can reach up to $500. What is the estimate in court. I know for sure it isn't going to be 250 dollars unless I plead guilty right away. Is there a way I can plead something that isn't going to get me any fees/payments but I can do somekind of work for it? I know I already said I did it in the office, but there weren't eye witnesses, so I may deny my point there. Though, they have a camera, so in the end, I might as well be guilty. Any help or suggestions?

Thanks ~ God Bless You.

You have to pay for Community Service for this reason....

Someone has to verify your hours, quality of work performed. This has to be kept on file for the duration of the time you are there.

THEN....forms to send to court stating you worked your hours. He/She has to sign off, and keep a copy in his/her records.

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Quoting PandorasBox

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You have to pay for Community Service for this reason....

Someone has to verify your hours, quality of work performed. This has to be kept on file for the duration of the time you are there.

THEN....forms to send to court stating you worked your hours. He/She has to sign off, and keep a copy in his/her records.

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Do you have any idea how much it will cost? Say 10 hours, 50 hours and 100 hours? Never knew this could cost so much in court, but do you think it will be less than $250?

It really varies by the judge. I had mine for an Open Container of Alcohol after my car accident 4 years ago.

I had a Diversion Program which included 40 hours of Community Service for around $400. (I liked what I was doing so much that I volunteered after my program ended).

Typically, they will assign you the place to perform at, or may give you a list of options.

Here, they gave up to 6 months to perform it (thought you really do want to do it as quick as possible).

Do not think you will do a half-assed job. You will work your butt off, and do the best job you can do. You will ask permission to use the bathroom, etc.

Shoplifting is expensive. Next time you are in a WalMart dressing room or bathroom....look for the sign on the wall. That first offense can cost $2000+ (not including lawyer). And they are not kidding.

As for the court costs/fines...unfortunately, you will not be able to say YOU are too poor to pay. As you are a minor, your parents have the responsibility of paying everything.

Now if they make you do chores, Chores, CHORES to pay them back....that's up to them.

Selling your clothes is a nice idea, but....may I ask how? And how selling your clothes will raise $800+ dollars?

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Quoting PandorasBox

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It really varies by the judge. I had mine for an Open Container of Alcohol after my car accident 4 years ago.

I had a Diversion Program which included 40 hours of Community Service for around $400. (I liked what I was doing so much that I volunteered after my program ended).

Typically, they will assign you the place to perform at, or may give you a list of options.

Here, they gave up to 6 months to perform it (thought you really do want to do it as quick as possible).

Do not think you will do a half-assed job. You will work your butt off, and do the best job you can do. You will ask permission to use the bathroom, etc.

Shoplifting is expensive. Next time you are in a WalMart dressing room or bathroom....look for the sign on the wall. That first offense can cost $2000+ (not including lawyer). And they are not kidding.

As for the court costs/fines...unfortunately, you will not be able to say YOU are too poor to pay. As you are a minor, your parents have the responsibility of paying everything.

Now if they make you do chores, Chores, CHORES to pay them back....that's up to them.

Selling your clothes is a nice idea, but....may I ask how? And how selling your clothes will raise $800+ dollars?

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Honestly, I only thought that the full cost of court would be 500 - 600 dollars. My mom said that she would help me with my financial burden, but my dad disagreed. I was planning to sell my ipod and laptop, about 400 - 500 total. After that, if i make a good sale, I can rake in 100 - 200 more through tutoring kids and selling my clothes. Do you really think it is 800 dollars+? I guess from other comments, the ratio for community service hours would be 100 bucks to 10 hours. Hopefully I can get 30 hours considering I am already doing community service at elementary schools (tutoring). What do you think about the situation? :)

It's nice you are already doing volunteer work.

Community Service is a form of punishment. So while you volunteer with kids right now, that will not count towards your punishment. You may find yourself mowing lawns, painting the curbs at the court house, picking up trash from the roadside....

The whole shoplifting experience can easily come to over $800. If you were an adult, you would require a lawyer or public defender ($250+ for a p.d.). You would also be in a position of freaking out about job opportunities.

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Quoting PandorasBox

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It's nice you are already doing volunteer work.

Community Service is a form of punishment. So while you volunteer with kids right now, that will not count towards your punishment. You may find yourself mowing lawns, painting the curbs at the court house, picking up trash from the roadside....

The whole shoplifting experience can easily come to over $800. If you were an adult, you would require a lawyer or public defender ($250+ for a p.d.). You would also be in a position of freaking out about job opportunities.

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So I should prepare at least 800 dollars of fundings? I thought it would be much cheaper because people have said "You will get a slap on the wrist and community service of some kind" Usually, that comes to about 600. Hopefully I can erase my records after 18, but in the mean time, I an worrying about the money. Do you advise to ignore the civil demands? That will definitely cut my bill short and I'll have the court to worry about. Is it true that a public defender will show up in court, or will I have to find one my own? (Will the Judge appoint me one at my very spot during my court meeting or not?) Thank you for aiding me through my preparations for my first (and last) court meeting. I can't thank you enough for answering my questions due to the fact that my parents know nothing of this process, so I must be responsible enough to study the prices.

God Bless you ~