Caught shoplifting for the second time
About two weeks ago my friend and i went to a department store for our second time that week to shoplift (i know its stupid...please no judgement, there were certain circumstances). Anyways, walking in they had recognized us from the tape two days prior and watched us repeat our actions, they then waited for us to leave the store and within seconds they came and got us and put us into a room. They then called the police, who did all the standard procedures and gave us a court date in 3 weeks. (fyi, this is my first time ever getting in trouble with the law) Now my questions are:
1. i am 16 now, but will turn 17 before my court date, will that make a difference (my friend is 17 and they told her she may have a different punishment than me due to age difference)?
2. I also recieved a civil fine notification for $200 from the store, do i have to pay that on top of the fine, or whatever they're going to sentence me in court?
3. I've recently gotten into alot of trouble and this was an awakening for me but i am paying for my mistakes and in doing so i am very broke, is there any way you could tell me how much a standard court fine is for florida (i was told i would as a minimum punishment have to pay that). Also if you know anyways to make this whole process cheaper.
Thanks you so much for your help, i appreciate it more that you know!
Re: **PLEASE HELP:Confused and in enough trouble as it is
Quote:
Quoting big_mistake
About two weeks ago my friend and i went to a department store for our second time that week to shoplift (i know its stupid...please no judgement, there were certain circumstances).
Jane's Addiction http://www.letssingit.com/jane-s-addiction-been-caught-stealing-qzv5nd8.html]captured the usual circumstances[/url] quite well.
Quote:
Quoting big_mistake
1. i am 16 now, but will turn 17 before my court date, will that make a difference (my friend is 17 and they told her she may have a different punishment than me due to age difference)?
The most important factor is whether you end up charged as a juvenile or adult. (In some states, like Michigan, at 17 you are always charged as an adult.) Beyond that, within the same court, it's going to be a matter of local policy whether they treat a 17-year-old more harshly than somebody who is alost 17. It is possible, also, that it factors into the sentencing guidelines applicable to the offense, or creates a presumption that the older teen is a "ringleader". Your criminal history could be a major consideration for the court, and could be more significant than a few months of age.
Quote:
Quoting big_mistake
2. I also recieved a civil fine notification for $200 from the store, do i have to pay that on top of the fine, or whatever they're going to sentence me in court?
The civil fine has nothing to do with the criminal penalty. If you don't pay the civil file, they may sue you.
Quote:
Quoting big_mistake
3. I've recently gotten into alot of trouble and this was an awakening for me but i am paying for my mistakes and in doing so i am very broke, is there any way you could tell me how much a standard court fine is for florida (i was told i would as a minimum punishment have to pay that). Also if you know anyways to make this whole process cheaper.
The amount of the fine depends upon the charge and your record - the lowest fine would be for a first offense charge of shoplifting < $300. For felony retail fraud, the fine is much higher. Also, court costs are typically assessed on top of a fine. A local lawyer may be able to estimate what your fine will be based upon the court you are in, your criminal history, and the charge you face.
why didn't they stop you the first time
I was just reading this situation and have to ask someone... Why weren't you stopped the first time? If they have you on tape from 2 days prior? Can someone shed some light on that?
Re: Caught shoplifting for the second time
The same thing actually happened to my about a two weeks ago. They had filmed me and my boyfriend shoplifting at our school bookstore in December and when we got back to school, we unfortunately did it again and they had recognized us from the footage they had of us before. And arrested us and went through the same thing you just did. I had to meet with the dean of students to talk about a punishment and i was put on probation for a whole year and had to pay for what i had stolen. I had my court date today and the public defender said that he is going to give me three weeks to find a good lawyer because it was twice. He was very rude but a lot of the things that he said were very realistic to me. He said ... "Just because you were caught stealing twice the judge is not going to think that is the only two times you have ever shoplifted" ... "You are going to need a good lawyer or else you are probably going to have this on your permanent record. And once that happens, you can say goodbye to a stable job." Very shocking but also very true. And the problem with my situation is that the police officers at my school were dicks so they decided to process the two different shoplifting incidents as two different arrests. So I actually have to go to court again to face charges and prosecution for December and also again for January. But I am 20 years old and I think that you will have different consequences since you are a minor. You will probably have to pay a fine on top of the $200 you are already paying and will probably have to be on probation for a year which basically means you cannot get in trouble within the next year or else you will face harsher consequences and you will also have to do community service hours. Hope this helps.
Re: Caught shoplifting for the second time
Unfortunately two different instances of the crimes are two crimes. It is up to the officer to determine how they want to fill out their report. It is also up to the prosecutor to determine how they want to proceed.
Unfortuantely, dick or not, the officers have the discretion in some cases to make to separate charges for two separate crimes. In other instances the officers might have been forced by department policy to treat it as two crimes. Thus, they might not have had the discretion.
Unfortunately if you do the crime you should be prepared to pay the time. It sucks. I have been there (never shoplifted, but have a DUI).