Shoplifting at JCPenney

I live in pennsylvania and was caught shoplifting at a local JcPennies. The police were called to check and see if I had a record. I do not, so loss prevention didn't have the police officer arrest me. He just left, no citation or anything. The loss prevention officer took a picture of me and had me sign two separate pieces of paper. I do not know what I signed. Like alot of other people here this was my first time and I was very frantic. He told me that I should let the courts always know my address incase I move because it would take about a year before I would hear from the courts regarding a hearing. The total merchandise was around 220.00 and they said I would be charged with a felony misdemeanor.
Is that normal, I would have expected a sooner court date?
I received the civil demand letter about a month ago and against my attorneys wishes I am paying it. They were the victum of my carelessness and they do deserve compensation from me.
I know I did something terribly wrong and I am getting help to see what the reasons are for something very outside my character. I would like to get a court date asap and get this taken care of. Is this year long court date normal for JcPennies in the state of pa?
Thanks for any answers you could provide.

I have worked for JCP and if you were not cited (arrested) then your lucky they have a 100% prosection policy! If you have a court date then yes youwere arrested and depending on dollar amount it coud be felony (check your local laws) The two documents were acknowldegement form and civil demand yo already know about later. Acknowledgement form is merely form stateing what you took its dollar value and that you agree with what tookplace. If officer did not give you a ticket then yo were NOT arrested and ther will be NO courtdate! I hope you learned alesson because looks like you got off easy!

I certainly learned my lesson and then some. I did not get a ticket but they did say that I would hear from the courts in about 1 year.

You were most likely R.P.A.W.'d. That's -- Released Pending Application (of) Warrants. If they told you you'll be going to court (eventually), then definitely keep the courts apprised of any address change.

Hate to break it to ya, but you are not out of the (legal) woods yet!

When you say R.P.A.W. Does that mean that there will be a warrant out for my arrest and I'll have to call the police so they can arrest me? The LP Officer said that if the court cannot contact me at that time they would put a warrant out but if they have a good address then I will get a court date.

It means exactly what soups!

Speak English. You may be a LP guy and know all the lingo but I don't. I've never dealt with a legal situation until now and am not sure how the system works.

It means DA can still choose to file charges on you. Until statue of limitations runs out you could still face charges for theft! Some store opt to use system soups decribes as it saves time and gives DA time to look case over and file charges. So as my friend soups says your not out of legal woods yet!

Yes, it would be great to be out of the legal woods but I know I was wrong and am willing to face what punishment I need to. I just wish they would decided now! I think the waiting to find out is the punishment in itself.

When the warrant goes through you will be notified via certified letter to turn yourself in within a certain time period. In MOST, but not ALL, cases, if you comply as instructed, you'll be booked in and possibly released on your own recognizance. That means you may not have to post a bond.

BUT!, if you do not comply and they have to come looking for ya, then you're looking at probably a 20 hour jail spell, an appearance before a judge with at least a $1000 bond.

The important thing to remember is to 'play' along with the program, get this incident behind you and move on. MOST IMPORTANTLY, learn from your error in judgement!!!

okay, then why did the LP officer say if I keep the courts aware of any address change then there wouldn't be a warrant out for my arrest. Could this procedure be different in Pennsylvania?

Maybe you misunderstood something he said. Courts wouldn't care where you ended up if they didn't have an interest in you at some point down the road........

when we were waiting for the police he said that I wouldn't hear from the courts for about 1 year. Once he got the clear from the police officer, he walked me out of the store and said make sure the courts know your address if you move. If you don't keep them aware of you're current address then they would issue a warrant for your arrest.

They are probably going to the magistrates office to file their own complaint, using the police report number which the officer most likely gave them. It could take them a while because sometimes LP's take a whole stack down with them.

The police file the report and since the store is the complaining party they get to file the paperwork. Most likely, the store has a good relationship with the DA and their office, so you can expect a notice to appear sometime in the coming months - possibly after the holidays or the first of the year due to the time of year/workload.

Okay, I found alittle information out myself. This might benefit someone else in my situation. Remember I live in PA These are the rules in my county.

RULE 509. USE OF SUMMONS OR WARRANT OF ARREST IN COURT CASES
If a complaint charges an offense which is a court case, the issuing authority with whom it is filed shall:

(A) issue a summons and not a warrant of arrest in cases in which the offense charged is punishable by a sentence to imprisonment of not more than one year, except as set forth in paragraph (b);

(B) issue a warrant of arrest when:

the offense charged is punishable by a sentence to imprisonment of more than five years; or
the issuing authority has reasonable grounds for believing that the defendant will not obey a summons; or
the summons has been returned undelivered; or
a summons has been served and disobeyed by a defendant; or
the identity of the defendant is unknown;

(C) issue a summons or a warrant of arrest, within the issuing authority's discretion, when the offense charged does not fall within any of the categories specified in paragraphs (a) or (b); or

(D) when a defendant is charged with more than one offense and one of such offenses is punishable by a sentence to imprisonment for more than five years, issue a warrant of arrest.

So, the way I understand this, I should expect a summons. If the summons is undeliverable, then they would issue a warrant for my arrest. I think that is what the LP Officer was tring to explain to me.

Oh, by the way there was no police report filed. All the police officer did was check to see if I had any priors.

I can't see that they would base their decision to prosecute immediately upon whether or not you had a record.

More than likely, they have a deal with the local police and DA as to where they file their own cases through a magistrate.

Dealing with JCP they are a 100% prosecution company - they prosecute regardless if you are a 10 year old who stole a $2.50 candy bar or 87 year old who stole $1000. Panther - correct me if I am wrong.

Hey, they have the right to prosecute. I stole from their retail store. I think the LP was basing it on whether or not he was going to have me arrested based on if I had any priors. I'm sure they'll still prosecute. I just wish they'd do it already.

I'm glad panther and soupdave weren't the LP that I dealt with. They seem to have a nasty streak. (no offense) that's the impression I got from other posts I've read from them. You know what they say sometimes police officers (Lp officers) are one step away from being criminals themselves. Maybe not you guys but plenty others out there.

Regardless of when JC Penneys (correct spelling) files papers it will still be up courts to decide when to file charges and issue summons. Since there was no actual arrest (detainment is not arrest) the right to speedy trial does not apply

Yes bam you are correct their policy is to prosecute everyone

Panther,
Thanks for the spelling lesson. Any other advice you could give?

Advice yes hopefully you have learned your lesson and will not do this again. Far as soups and I being mean well both of us have outstanding records and would never mistreat a subject. There are many LP's out there who mistreat, mishandle and other wise abuse their subjects soups and I are not of that group. I wish you the best but this isnt about your desire and wants its about paying the piper

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Quoting stupied1

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I'm glad panther and soupdave weren't the LP that I dealt with. They seem to have a nasty streak. (no offense) that's the impression I got from other posts I've read from them. You know what they say sometimes police officers (Lp officers) are one step away from being criminals themselves. Maybe not you guys but plenty others out there.

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"(no offense)" ? Nice caveat slim, but it goes over like a lead balloon! But, I'd rather be labeled with a "nasty streak" than a shoplifting one.

But I do have a kind streak too!

Have a nice day!!! :) There now, I can be civil.

BTW, we'll see ya in 1 to 3.... ;)

As I said......NASTY. I'm sure you'll be right next to me if you keep that attitude.
Maybe you should start to focus on why people shoplift. Is it only poor people...no...Is it only depressed people...no...Is it only hardened criminals that have a long history....no. What is the common denominator. If you put your anger towards figuring out that, then maybe you could make a job that is primarily negative (ex: fights, confrontation, police) and make it into something positive like teaching a class to young adults on what happens to them if they decide to shoplift. I'm sure you have company seminars on stuff like this.

Really guys, I'm not a smart ass, I just noticed that you guys are really passionate about your job and that's great. You're easy to get going.

Yes, I've learned my leason and no it isn't all about what I want. I know I did something wrong and like I said before I'm willing to face what comes ahead of me but I am still human and scared about facing a criminal charge. But then again maybe I'll have my buddy soup next to me while
I'm serving 3 to 5 lol

We are Loss Prevention NOT Dr. Phil its not our job or job description to figure out why! soups is very witty and his comments reflect that. He is not the Cowboy rope em LP that you may think. His company will not tolerate it. You made a mistake and learned something good far as prediction no one can say but with it being first time penalty will be minor!

Panther,
Believe it or not I come from a family of psychologists that work with criminals and the police. Yes it is your job to be doctor Phil. My father has always said a good police officer not only knows the criminals he arrests but also can perdict what and why is the reason for their behavior. Be it drugs, stupiedity (like me), etc..Do you want to spend the rest of your life working retail hours and dealing with crying stupied people like me? Maybe you do but most people want a family life that doesn't include all that. You sound like a great LP. Thank you for all your advice!!! I sincerely appreciate it. I was wrong about you but maybe not soup.lol

First off no were are NOT Dr. Phil and for good reason

1st We are not trained in counseling (although I have a background in addcition couseling) We dont go to school for (years of college) Would you want a cashier to treat your broken arm?

2nd We are not paid to be therapist we are paid to protect store assets.

This arguement has been made before on a another site and same results its not our place to counsel nor do we have time. LP has to protect an entire store while we process you no one watches store if I spend an hour to two giving you my best Dr. Phil store is losing money! I understand your view and concern but yor theory wont work. Once again I hope al goes well for you and I am glad you wont be a repeat offender

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Quoting stupied1

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As I said......NASTY. I'm sure you'll be right next to me if you keep that attitude.
Maybe you should start to focus on why people shoplift. Is it only poor people...no...Is it only depressed people...no...Is it only hardened criminals that have a long history....no. What is the common denominator. If you put your anger towards figuring out that, then maybe you could make a job that is primarily negative (ex: fights, confrontation, police) and make it into something positive like teaching a class to young adults on what happens to them if they decide to shoplift. I'm sure you have company seminars on stuff like this.

Really guys, I'm not a smart ass, I just noticed that you guys are really passionate about your job and that's great. You're easy to get going.

Yes, I've learned my leason and no it isn't all about what I want. I know I did something wrong and like I said before I'm willing to face what comes ahead of me but I am still human and scared about facing a criminal charge. But then again maybe I'll have my buddy soup next to me while
I'm serving 3 to 5 lol

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I am so far removed from EVER being close to ending up in the same 'boat as you that I doubt your limited intellect comprehends that far!

AND, I really do not care why you were in my store stealing. My care and concern is making sure that I'm (hopefully) a step ahead of your silly self and we have a chance to get acquainted whilst I'm doin' up the paperwork and calling the law. Then I never want to see you again, until court time at least.

BTW, you have it all wrong DR. Full....I'm not angry at all about anything! I look forward to coming to work each and every day, I've made some very wise investments so I maintain a VERY comfortable lifestyle all the while doing something I love to do. I'm not in this for the money. As a matter of fact, some days I'd do this for free!

My passion is all aspects of LP. Busting you boosters is just a small percentage of what me and my staff's day consists of.

You can keep up the trashtalk all you like brightboy......someday you'll have "Billy Ray" as a cellmate and I don't think it'll matter to him if you sleep on your back or not! ;)

Two fine quotes from souperdave...

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Quoting souperdave

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My passion is all aspects of LP.

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AND

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Quoting souperdave

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AND, I really do not care why you were in my store stealing. My care and concern is making sure that I'm (hopefully) a step ahead of your silly self ...

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If your passion was really all things LP, then you would care WHY someone was stealing. If figure out the WHY of it, you can PREVENT the theft in the first place - hence the name Loss PREVENTION. From the looks of it, panther and soups are hook 'em book 'em LP's which is fine, but there is a better way to deal with it.

Your store is losing money if spend 2 hours processing a shoplifter for theft. Simply you sitting there is a waste. Shoplifters are human. From their posts, panther and soups are not. They are the super LP's of the US and they are perfect in every aspect. Like I have said in the past, everyone makes mistakes. Some people steal, some people speed, some people use alcohol and drugs. The problem is, people like panther and soups take it personal - which is the reason when they bust you, they refer to it as "my stuff" (IE give me MY stuff back).

Don't worry too much about it, you can probably get a diverson program. Just remember everyone has their own issues, of course the one exception being souper.

You clearly did NOT read my posts I said I had no time or credntials to Dr. Phil my subjects. I myself put inplace countless prevention methods and procedure that are still in place years later. Its not about pych profiles (you watch too much tv) the why isnt about the subject! There are countless reason people shoplift and none are under our (as lP) control! I do not have time (as your post states) to spend hurs couseling my arrests. Hook em and boo em shows your lack of knowledge of what we do! Prevention is name of the game but therapy of subjects is not part of that. Maybe you should go to SA with Terry S he agrees with that waste of time. We are not trained therapist and we should not try to do so! I dont see Dr. Phil work CCTV at Walmart. Our job is prevention and arrest (as soups states) is only a small part of what we do. I have known soups for some time now and I know of his skills and his achievements. you dont have to agree with him but I can assure you he works within his companies policy and is and will continue to do a fine outstanding job. I hope I have made myself clear as I agree prevention comes first but Dr. Phil we are not and to try to be so could make matters worse!

Take it to banter. There's no need to (further) hijack this thread.

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Quoting bam!

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Two fine quotes from souperdave...


Shoplifters are human. From their posts, panther and soups are not. They are the super LP's of the US and they are perfect in every aspect..

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I was wondering when you were going to figure that out! :)

AND, in repect of Aaron's request, I started this "WHY" thing in the Banter forum........