Shoplifting incident at Walmart

Kentucky:

I took an accuaintence to walmart the other day, went inside with her, even pushed the cart of merchaindise she was getting, but had no idea she was going to steal it. Finally, she was ready to leave, and I followed her through an empty checkout line. At this point a knew what she was doing, so I immediately let go of the cart, and told her I wasn't going any further.

At that point, she grabed one of the items, and headed towards the door. I fell back several yards from her as the door man attempted to get her attention. I followed behind slowly, and was starting to panick. She kept yelling for me to COME ON, and I eventually did.

I cound'nt believe what was happening as I drove off more nervous than I have ever been....In my car! I'm certain the took my license number also.

Anyway, I dropped her off where I picked her up, and I hope to never see this girl again. I barely know her at all, I've only talked to her a few times, and only know her 'nick' name. I'm afraid I made a terrible mistake, and scared to death the police are going to arrest me for something she did.

Anyway, I called walmart this morning and talked with a co-manager about the incident. He told me if I wasn't involved I had nothing to worry about, but I drove the car after she bolted. He said they would review the camaras, and confront her if she comes back in the store.

The items value was around $70.00, and I think they even tried to follow us after we left the parking lot.

Anyway, I'm scared to death over this, and as my SN suggests: I'm twisted_up!

What should I expect to happen, I don't know if the individual I talked to was aware of the incident, and circumstances

Also, if I do get arrested, or summoned to court, what can I expect to happen to me?

Does the manager you spoke with now have your name and contact information? If so, there is a substantial possibility that they will review the tapes and make a police report, and that the police will want to speak with you about the incident.

No, I didn't give any personal information at all. The person I spoke with didn't seem too concerned about it.

He didn't ask for anything...

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Quoting Twisted_Up

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Also, if I do get arrested, or summoned to court, what can I expect to happen to me?

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http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13040

Of course the store could also ban you.

What should I do?

I didn't take the item, but I'm afraid I could be charged as an accessory. If this is the case, what can I expect to happen? Am I looking at jail time?

I haven't seen any information that's similar to my situation, and I want to get this resoved as soon as possible. I'm not a thief, and if I had known this girl was gonna get me involved in something like this, I would have never even let her in my car.

The worst part about this, is I'm on disability for a mental condition. I'm afraid of losing my benefits over this. I live with my mother, and if I lose my benefits, she'll lose her home, as she can't afford to make payments on her own. Not only could this ordeal screw my life up, it could greatly effect my mother as well.

I'm freaking out; I can't sleep, I can't eat, and I can't see my doctor for a couple months.

I need to get this resoloved because I don't know how much more I can take at this point.

This whole situation may seem petty to some of you, but I have a lot on the line here.

I need help, information, likely scenerios, and advice...please help!

There's not much to do but wait and see what happens. If the manager didn't even ask you name, it is less likely (but still possible) that they will involve the police.

If they do get the police involved, what can I expect to happen, what am I likely to be charged with, and what am I facing as punishment?

Am I screwed if this happens?

Quote:

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Quoting Happy Trails

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http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13040

>>Shoplifting is a Class A misdemeanor for theft of less than $300 in Kentucky.

Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail sentence of up to 12 months.

While it is good that you have a lawyer and hopefully it is one who has experience in shoplifting cases, no one can say for certainty what the outcome may be.

It sometimes varies from county to county, judges and the prosecuting attorneys have different ways of handling these sort of things.

Some county attorney's have requested input from merchants on what they feel the punishment should be. Most of the merchants felt that jail time was appropriate (as they want to deter theft) and extended sentences should be given to repeat offenders. The ranges that they recommended for first time offenders were 3 days to 360 days in jail.<<

Of course the store could also ban you.

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Is this a likely punishment for me as well? I didn't steal the item, and was unaware until we walked through an empty checkout line where I stopped immediately, she grabbed the item, and walked out the door.

Would I get charged with outright shoplifting, or as an accessory, or anything? If I am charged with something, will they come to my home, or send something via mail?

Should I talk to the police if they come, or keep my mouth shut until they provide me with a PD?

Thanks for your help...

Quote:

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Quoting Twisted_Up

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Is this a likely punishment for me as well? I didn't steal the item, and was unaware until we walked through an empty checkout line where I stopped immediately, she grabbed the item, and walked out the door.

Would I get charged with outright shoplifting, or as an accessory, or anything? If I am charged with something, will they come to my home, or send something via mail?

Should I talk to the police if they come, or keep my mouth shut until they provide me with a PD?

Thanks for your help...

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Actually, you were not an accessory, you were a principal:

I cound'nt believe what was happening as I drove off more nervous than I have ever been....In my car! I'm certain the took my license number also.

What does that mean?

I'm confused...If the police get involved, does this mean that I'll get charged with something she did? (Shoplifting)

I feel sick....

Quote:

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Quoting Twisted_Up

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What does that mean?

I'm confused...If the police get involved, does this mean that I'll get charged with something she did? (Shoplifting)

I feel sick....

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That means a crime was committed (and you knew it); you drove the getaway car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessory_(legal_term)

Thank you Judge...

I feel sick about this; if I didn't panic things might be different, huh? I wish I had never let that girl in my car; I wish I had refused to leave. Heck, when I realized what she was doing, I stared directly at the door man, and took my sweet time even getting to the car, and then I sat in the car for a good while before drving out of the parking lot. I was terrified, and didn't want to be part of this! I was in a panic, and to top it off she was yelling at me to GO, GO! She even went so far as to put my car into gear!

Judge, what should I do?

I'm scared...

Wait and see what Wal-Mart says or does.

If you get arrested, get a lawyer as soon as possible.

Also, I am assuming you are telling the truth, but this "taking the friend shopping and he/she shoplifted" is one of the oldest in the book.


Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable. Ask about drug court, if applicable.

From marbol:

“Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a ‘vibrate’ position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR IT VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings.”

(Better yet, don’t carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)”


Here are six stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter/wife/ex-wife/niece/grandma/grand-daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled/crazy and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job/military posting in [name a place five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this. (This conflicts with number 5 below, but that hasn’t stopped some defendants from using both.)

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.” Or, another variation: “I was forced into it by a bad guy!”)

6. I was influenced by a bad crowd.

http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthre...687#post854687

Public defender’s advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/.../70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

Thanks again, Judge...

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Also, I am assuming you are telling the truth, but this "taking the friend shopping and he/she shoplifted" is one of the oldest in the book.

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I thought as much...

Could I lose my disability benefits from this; is it likely? I simply can't work; I've tried several times since filing disability, and just can't handle it. My mental condition is quite fragile, which is why I'm having such a hard time with this whole ordeal.

I'll end up homeless if that happens....

I am no expert on disability law, but I have never heard of losing your payments from the taxpayers for shoplifting.

I should be taking more responsibilty, shouldn't I?

As soon as I even attempt to justify myself by suggesting I didn't know what she was planning, they will just assume I am a liar as well./shrug

In the end, I knew she stole something, I drove the car, and like it or not, I was involved in a crime. I should simply own up to my part, and let the rest lay by the wayside.

No sense in playing the role of a victim here, is there? I should have known better!

Btw, I sincerely hope you're right about the benefits...I'd be lost without them!