Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
My question involves criminal law for the state of: I was caught shoplifting and I'm 17. they told me on that's they saw me takin 3 slippers with 4 of my friend and I had a back pack full of books but I didn't take the slippers they blamed it at at me cause of my book bag so I went back to kmart in 2 months and stole 3 screw driver It brought six of them but I took half of it it cost 10$. they took me back to the camera room and they took my info but no cop involved and I don't know what to do after that they told me they gonna send me a letter In the mail the is the highest I might pay is 300$ but I don't know what to do I want to know what will happen to me
Re: Got Caught Shoplifting at Kmart
You pay the civil demand and they MIGHT not press criminal charges.
Re: Got Caught Shoplifting at Kmart
And start paying attention in English class. Your writing skills are that of a developmentally delayed third grader.
Re: Got Caught Shoplifting at Kmart
You also needed to tell us what STATE you committed your crime of moral turpitude. There's good reason that the forum software inserts that prompt for you. We can't give you a serious answer without it.
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
This in VA state
well the first time I didn't get caught tell the secon time
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
Which part or va? It's a commonwealth so pretty tough on theft
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
Excuse me? What does being a Commonwealth have to do with their position on any issue?
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
I have no idea what bam! is talking about. Virginia is actually quite lenient compared to some of the non-commonwealth states on theft.
OK, if the police were not notified initially, you probably dodged a GIGANTIC bullet. There's still a chance that the store made a complaint but the police were too disinclined to show up at that the time. You may find a summons being delivered to you (or taped to your front door). If that occurs, write back. The good news is that if you don't have any other criminal history, you probably qualify for a diversion which means if you can keep your nose clean and follow the rules for a few months, you'll escape a criminal record.
You can expect a letter from K-mart's "lawyers" demanding the civil restitution. Virginia is actually one of the better states on this one. The most they can ask for is $50 or TWICE the value of the items you stole. Further, if they got the items back in salable condition, it's capped at $350. Even if they sue you, their legal fees are capped at $150. While this FORUM is quite divided on the advice, my opinion here is that they are just going after the low hanging fruit. They will send you a couple of threatening letters but are unlikely to pursue you either civilly or follow up on a previously unfilled criminal complaint.
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
Ok ok, I worded it poorly.
$200 is a felony, the use of tools is a felony and on your third petty larceny (less than $200) it turns into a felony.
It has a low threshold for felony theft and many prosecutors don't offer diversion or programs unless you are in a city.
You will probably get a letter. Pay it or not, that's your choice.
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
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bam!
$200 is a felony, the use of tools is a felony and on your third petty larceny (less than $200) it turns into a felony.
Actually, a petit larceny with two prior larcenies of any flavor is a class 6 felony. Even if it's only the second offense, there's mandatory 30 days in jail.
Also note that there's a separate (and in addition the the base larceny charge) larceny with intent to sell and if you are found with multiples of the same item, there's a presumptive guilt there. If it's more than $200 aggregate, you're looking at a mandatory two years in prison.
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It has a low threshold for felony theft and many prosecutors don't offer diversion or programs unless you are in a city.
Eh? It's the court that offers it and they certainly do so at the county levels (all the counties around here certainly seem to offer it).
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
So my friend stole 3pair of slippers there each 20$ but we didn't got caught. 2 months later I went and stole 3 screwdriver they came in a package of 6 screwdriver the whole pack is 10$ And they said they remember me from the camera and I told them I didn't take them I just helped them. What happens ?
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
If the incident is as you describe, you are an accomplice and can be charged the saw as the person who walked out with the merchandise.
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
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Security Consultant
If the incident is as you describe, you are an accomplice and can be charged the saw as the person who walked out with the merchandise.
Correct, and receiving/concealing stolen goods in Virginia is also considered the same as larceny itself.
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
Wouldn't you consider that tougher than say Maryland with the stet and pbj? Oh and felony $1000+?
I have seen some courts (Montgomery County General district) in one town offer "diversion" and the "same" county court in another town not offer it because the prosecutor had a harsher stance on theft.
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
Would efect my parents ? How much does it cost when they give u a lawyer in Kmart ?
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
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Boy
Would efect my parents ? How much does it cost when they give u a lawyer in Kmart ?
You can get alot of stuff at Kmart...but I don't think a lawyer is one of them.
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
It will drastically affect your parents. They will know for sure they failed in properly raising their child and that the child is a thief not worthy of their future investments of capital.
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Boy
Would efect my parents ? How much does it cost when they give u a lawyer in Kmart ?
Re: Caught Twice Shoplifting at K-Mart
If charged by the Prosecutor, your parents face: Court costs and fines; money for a lawyer (this can easily be $1500 or more; possibly an anti-shoplifting class for you.