Accidentally Forgot to Purchase Jewelry Items, in a Bag With Paid Merchandise
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania
Tonight something very unfortunate happened to me. I am devastated because it was a horrible mistake I made.
I was shopping at TJ Max for Christmas and I had several items in my shopping cart as I was getting gifts for my whole family. Some of the gifts included 15 little jewelries, each one in the amount of $20 to $35 dollars. As I left my shopping cart for few minutes to look into other items, a lady was moving my items and taking some of the jewelry to herself. I politely told her that it was my cart and I was buying those items. Prior to that, I had already purchased 3 little jewelry and I had a TJ Max bag with the purchased items and the receipt. I decided to put the unsold jewelry inside the bag so nobody would touch my items. I asked the lady from the dressing room to hold the bag for me with the items I purchased plus the unpurchased items. BIG MISTAKE!!! What was I thinking? As I spent about 2.5 hours to finish my shopping, I headed to the cashier. I only had my credit card in my pocket as I don't like to hold my purse while shopping. The cashier offered me to apply for a TJ Max credit card and I would save 10% of the whole purchase. My total purchase was about $ 500. I thought was a good deal and I said yes. I realized I didn't have my ID on me and told the cashier that I needed to get it from my car. Unfortunately, I had the TJ Max bag in my arms and I didn't realized I was leaving the store with the bag. One lady came running after me and told me I was stealing and I didn't pay for the items. I was in shock, I told her I payed for the items and asked her i had the receipt in the bag. That was when I realized I had the unsold jewelries with me and I forgot inside of the bag!
To conclude:
They asked me to get back into the store, made me signed 2 papers and called the cops. The cops took me to the police station and I saw a judge. The judge set bail for $3000 but because I have no prior charges, he let me go.
This is so embarrassing because no matter what I say, they looked at me like i stole the items. I tried to explained and begged the lady from the store it was a mistake, she didn't believe me. The cop that took me to the station knew my daughter from the school district and she was nice to me but she had to do her job.
I have court next week and I need to find a lawyer. My questions are:
1) How much it cost for cases like mine?
1 a) Is it safe to use a public defender?
2) Should I pay the amount the store will charge me once I receive the restitution letter?
3) I am about to graduate from nursing school, this can affect me career horribly. I am very concern and upset at myself for being so distracted. I could not stop crying.. HORRIBLE MISTAKE that will cause me HORRIBLE CONSEQUENCES.
4) Should I plea guilty even dough I didn't steal anything? (I mean, I know i didnt but they think I did)
5) What should I aspect to happen? Will that be on my records? If the judge believes me, what is the worse it can happen?
6) When does the charges go to my records?
I am willing to do anything, I can ruin my career.
PLEASE HELP ME! LET ME KNOW THE BASIC THINGS AND MY OPTIONS FOR NOT GETTING CONVICTED AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A CLEAN RECORD.
Thank you very much.
Re: I Was Charged with Shoplifting at Tj Max
You did actually steal the goods. Unfortunately for you, they hear this story day in and day out. "I forgot", "It fell in", "Someone put it there" - all are common, and none of them work.
How do you not realize that you're holding a bag of goods?
Sorry, but if a stranger on the Internet doesn't believe you, the courts won't either.
You need an attorney. And yes, this could ruin your career.
Re: I Was Charged with Shoplifting at Tj Max
I am not going to tear into your post and show you all the reasons your story is quite unbelievable. I'll just say:
not believable in the least.
If you can afford to spend all that money on Christmas gifts, you aren't likely to qualify for a public defender.
Re: I Was Charged with Shoplifting at Tj Max
Thank you for your time, response and honesty.
I understand you didn't believe me, so didn't the store and the police. I have no reason to lie in here. I want a true advice. This is what happened. I was very distracted and the bag was in my arms, not my hands. I am not asking for you to believe me, I just need to know what to expect. No matter what I say, I am a theft. I already know this can hurt my career, i just need to know if I have a chance to get out of this mess.
Thank you.
Re: I Was Charged with Shoplifting at Tj Max
This is why you need an attorney, to get you the best possible result.
Re: I Was Charged with Shoplifting at Tj Max
I will get an attorney. Could you be kind enough to explain to me what will happens next?
I have court next week. what are the next steps? Am I going to jail? I don't understand the concept of bail. The judge set bail for 3000 but let me go. Do i still need to pay that in the future? what will happen in court? My biggest concern is my records. If I don't go to jail, and do everything they will ask me to do, can the charges be removed? I am sorry to asking so many questions.
I truly appreciate your response. Thank you very much.
Re: I Was Charged with Shoplifting at Tj Max
It depends on if they charged it as a misdemeanor or a summary offense. What does the paper work look like? If it looks like a traffic ticket, it's a summary offense. You'll appear in front of a magistrate and the witnesses will testify and your attorney can cross examine, etc... The upside of this is that summary offenses do not cause a criminal records and the penalty is usually small fine.
If you were charged as a misdemeanor, your papers are full sized sheets of paper and the court date is your Preliminary Hearing/Preliminary Arraignment. This is where they decide if there's enough cause to go forward. It's also where plea bargains or ARD applications are usually made (by your attorney). Usually, they'll also set some bail (often unsecured) at this point. The next appearance will be the real arraignment in common pleas court, and the next appearance will be your actual trial.
Your best bet (other than having a real defense on the charges) is to get into ARD. This is a period of probation that if you succeed in, ends up in having the charges dismissed. Ask your lawyer.
Re: I Was Charged with Shoplifting at Tj Max
Remember if you get aan ARD or First Time Offenders program - don't mess up. And it could be a period of 2 years of probation, during which you cannot work with the Vulnerable population.
Re: I Was Charged with Shoplifting at Tj Max
Thank you very much for your time.
That was very helpful. If I may, I have one last question. Since I am about to graduate from nursing school, reading your response, you mentioned during probation I won't be able to work. After two years, will I be able to work as a nurse if I follow the program and do t mess up?
Thank you!
Re: I Was Charged with Shoplifting at Tj Max
Since if you get into a program and complete probation, your record should be sealed.