Got caught in Target need advice

I was arrested last night for Grand Larceny in the 4th degree in Target. The items I took were various DVD's and cd's, valued at $1200. It is not the first time I have shoplifted from this store, but the first time I was apprehended, previously i was seen on tape, and that charge was added to this one, the amount on the first theft was 1200 as well.

I am coming here for advice, not to be chewed out and talked to like a child, so please save that for your own children. I have read a few posts on here where people claim a medical situation that caused this and they were berated for it, but my compulsive disorder has been documented many times for many years, so it is real i can assure you. I do not need the items i take, nor do i sell them for personal gain, it is honestly something that i cannot stop even when i try my best, and if you dont understand what someone who has a complusive disease goes through, look it up and educate yourself before coming down on them.

I have been arrested before, for traffic violations, and once for disorderly conduct. other than that, i have 5 years served in the Marine Corps, with a honorable discharge under medical conditions due to the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I work in the community, and hold a good job. While there is no excuse for my actions, what can I except as punishment from the courts as this is a felony charge and the store (i am already expecting the civil demand). I am living in NY. I have already retained an attorney, but have not spoken to him yet regarding this. Thank you in advance for your advice.

Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable. Ask about drug court, if applicable.

From marbol:

“Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a ‘vibrate’ position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR IT VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings.”

(Better yet, don’t carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)”


Here are six stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter/wife/ex-wife/niece/grandma/grand-daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled/crazy and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job/military posting in [name a place five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this. (This conflicts with number 5 below, but that hasn’t stopped some defendants from using both.)

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.” Or, another variation: “I was forced into it by a bad guy!”)

6. I was influenced by a bad crowd.

http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthre...687#post854687

Public defender’s advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/.../70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

No my children arent career criminals in training! Listen dont ask not be scolded you and others like you are the reason the rest of us pay higher prices or suffering other problems shopping in order to protect merchandise from thiefs like you. You commited a felony I would make a deal fast or remember to NOT bend over to pick up the soap!

NY state or city?

What method did you use to steal the dvds and cds?

Get a lawyer and you can probably get the 1st theft where they did not catch you dropped. Did you sign any paperwork when you were in the office? First things first, retain a lawyer before your arraignment date. IE go on monday and set up a meeting. It will most likely cost you some money but it will be better than having it on your record. If you do decide to change jobs, no one will hire a person who has a theft record.

There's no faster way to get scolded than to scold the forum's scolds....

The "I couldn't help myself" excuse runs pretty thin when you're stealing in extraordinarily large quantities, and focus your theft on items which are easily resold. Even if you're not reselling, the idea of compulsivity seems a bit thin when you're stocking shelf after shelf in your living room with the stolen DVD's and CD's. At $2400, and that being just what you got caught stealing, your house must look like a music store warehouse.

Further, you indicate that you have a long history with this disorder, and you obviously knew that you weren't stable on your meds, so you can expect the court to want to know why you didn't work hard to get stable rather than continuing to steal.

If you wish to pursue the mental illness argument, you'll need to be prepared to back it up with psychological or psychiatric evidence from your treaters. You're already seeking legal help - that's a good idea.

The method used wasnt a hard one not to pick up on, i put the items in a cart, and tried to walk out the door with them. In the back of my head, I was kinda wishing i did get caught. this past time i think i went to go walk out the door three times and stopped, turned around, left the cart and went to leave, only to go back and get it again. I am a 27 yr old guy, the things i took were three complete series box sets of sex in the city, and two complete series box sets of friends, neither show i particularly like at all. they just happen to be ultra expensive. and it is always the same thing, box sets.
as for signing a statement, i just signed a thing at the store that said i wouldnt come back, but did not say anything about the picture they had of me from july as it was kind of blurry, but i did sign a statement with the dectective that said it was me who took the stuff both times.
i spoke to an attorney this evening, he quoted me 2 grand for the initial fee, 1500 if it goes to indicment, and another 1500 if it goes to trial. does that seem eccessive? i am not sure how to price lawyers, or who good ones are. I live in suffolk county long island.
and to panther, i notice you are particularly harsh in this forum, and bash people constantly, i just like to say that everything that anyone does in this world has a drastic effect on everyone else, so unless your an absolute saint, who doesnt use gas in their car or truck which drives the price of oil up, or smokes cigarettes that causes people to have cancer from second hand smoke or cancer themselves which drives up the cost of health care for the country, or whatever else u babble on and on about, just shut the hell up and keep it to yourself. people make mistakes, some are controllable and some arent, you are not god and you do not get to judge anyone. everyone else...thank you for your advice it is appriciated.

Stealing multiple copies of expensive box sets of TV shows - shows you claim not to even like - screams of an intent to resell. Impulsivity or no, you've created a truly uphill position for yourself in terms of arguing that you are not a professional, commercial shoplifter.

I don't think the fee quoted sounds particularly high, but if you want you can call around for other quotes. The real issue is finding a lawyer you trust and you feel you can work with - in my experience that's actually worth some extra bucks over the cheapest guy.

(There you go scolding a scold again.... I thought I warned you.... ;))

im not scolding, this forum is here for advice not to be treated like an inbred retard. we all know we did something wrong, which is why we are reading these things in the first place, no need to drill it into our heads again.

as for the intent to sell, i can understand that, it was twice that i went in and took stuff, the things i got the first time, i still have unopened sitting in my room, like i said i didnt take it for personal gain, nor do i like the shows at all, so im wondering if i can return it to the store in good faith, i mean ill still accept the punishment, but i dont even want the crap, i just got it in my head that i had to take it, and i couldnt shake it.

If it is still in the shrink wrap, have your lawyer facilitate its return. If the stolen goods can be resold their return should reduce your civil liability and any court-ordered restitution.

oooh really...yeah its all still in the package...good advice thank you