I Was Caught Stealing and Want to Know My Options

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Wisconsin

Hello,

I have gotten myself into some trouble today. I had stolen $15 dollars worth of merchandise from a local Wal-Mart. I was given a city ordance ticket for retail theft. The police officer said that I am lucky cause they could have arrested me. He also said that it will not go on my record. I have a court date set in october. Will I have any trouble getting a job? Will this show up on a background check for getting a job?

Thank you all for you time I really appreciate it.

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I have spent some time reading other people's posts on this site. It appears that I may have come off like just another loser looking to get out of this situation cheap and easy. This is not the case.
I am twenty-one years old and I was employed at Walmart. I stole from the people that employed me (not that any form of stealing is ok) and I am realizing now that this is very stupid on my part as I was terminated immediately. I just have a few questions for the knowledgeable people here.

Feel free to look down upon me with insults as I am asking for your help and I realize that you are answering out of your own good will and I appreciate it tremendously. I am honestly thankful I got a ticket because I need to change this part about my life.

1. Will a city ordinance retail theft ticket show up on a background check? (The police officer said that it will not, but after searching the internet I have found that this may be the case)

2. I am really sorry for stealing and this ticket has actually changed my view on how theft increases costs for honest people. I intend to become an honest person and I apologize to the honest people on this forum. (I realize this is a tense subject on here)

3. IF it does not show up on my background check is it worth hiring a lawyer to potentially get the charges reduced? It is my first offense and I have clean record.

You have a court date - it is a good idea to go to court before that date and sit in and watch. Since police were involved, you were likely let go on personal recognizance. You can likely expect to do mugshot and fingerprinting after court.

You can expect court costs and fines; and the Civil Demand letter.

As for a criminal record, even if it is plead down, the original charge will show on a background check. And the store may enter you in the national Retail Theft Database for 7 years. It is worth hiring a lawyer to see if you can get a Diversion Program or First Time Offenders.....

Thank you for your reply pandora,

I ask the police officer if this was a misdemeanor which i understand as criminal, and he said it was not. He said it was just like a traffic ticket, (it was a city ordnance ticket) If I do get into a diversion program will this not show up on my record as harshly? Thank you for your time.

Does it have an Appear By date on it? If not, just pay it.....

This may or may not show up on a background check, if by that you are referring to a third party check that may or may not include criminal history. But given that you were employed by Walmart, please know that if a prospective HR or hiring manager calls Walmart for a reference check, it is quite, quite legal for Walmart to tell them about this.

Ok I called a local lawyer and they said that it is not even worth hiring them. I do not have to appear in court and they said I should plead NOT GUILTY and then I would work something out with the court.

I am sorry for my lack of knowledge but I do not understand because the way I see it they caught me on camera how can I plead not guilty?

Thank you all for your advice I genuinely appreciate it.

Pleading "not guilty" does not mean, "I didn't do it"; it means, "I am standing on my right under the Constitution of the US to have the state prove me guilty".

Now, if they have you on camera, it may not be a very tough job for the state. But sometimes (don't know about your state in particular) if you plead guilty the judge's hands are tied with regards to sentencing, whereas if you plead not guilty some kind of plea can be worked out that will reduce your sentence and the ultimate affect on your life.

I plan to go to the courthouse and watch some trials before I am to do this but... I am just going to say "Not Guilty" and then I am asking for a plea deal? Do I ask the judge him/herself?

That you would work out with the Prosecutor.