Shoplifted Many Times, But Only Caught Once

My question involves criminal law for the state of Texas

I have two kids with no job and child support. I have been going to the grocery store close to where I live and take groceries for about a year - bread, meat, oranges, milks, etc. I was stopped yesterday after I pushed the cart out, a store person told me to go back to the store and I did. He said we have been noticing you for a while.I left the cart in the store and left the store immediately and drove off before the polices got there. (I saw them coming) My license plate number was written down by the store person.
Could someone help me to answer: If they find me, Will they use all the video tape to charge me with prior incident? How can they prove I didn't pay? Or they will just use yesterday's incident to press charge?

I need serious answer please. Thank you.

If you were caught stealing on video, then the video can be used as evidence against you. If people saw you stealing, their testimony can be used as evidence against you. The fact that you ran away when confronted over your acts of theft can also be used as evidence against you.

As for what will happen in the future, all you can do is wait and see.

First off, I recommend filing for Food Stamps and finding a Food Pantry in your community. You should also be talking to your area Friend of the Court about getting child support from Baby Daddy/Daddies.

Next: You would be best advised to pull out the Yellow Pages and look up Criminal Defense Attorneys. Most will offer a free consultation. Start leaving messages today so you can get a lawyer asap.

Please understand we don't know what the store will do. It is possible a police officer will be knocking on your door. If you have shoplifted with the kids in tow, you may also be visited by Child Protective Services.

We don't know if the store will have more than yesterdays incident on tape, but if they've been watching you for a while, you can bet they burned footage to a CD, and they can charge you with multiple counts. They can prove you didn't pay via surveillance footage.

If you do get charged criminally, you can expect court costs and fines; the stores lawyers will also send a Civil Demand notice. And job hunting will be far more difficult with a criminal record. Aside from calling lawyers and making appointments immediately, you need to haul tail to apply for jobs before retail becomes an impossibility for you.

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Quoting PandorasBox

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First off, I recommend filing for Food Stamps and finding a Food Pantry in your community. You should also be talking to your area Friend of the Court about getting child support from Baby Daddy/Daddies.

Next: You would be best advised to pull out the Yellow Pages and look up Criminal Defense Attorneys. Most will offer a free consultation. Start leaving messages today so you can get a lawyer asap.

Please understand we don't know what the store will do. It is possible a police officer will be knocking on your door. If you have shoplifted with the kids in tow, you may also be visited by Child Protective Services.

We don't know if the store will have more than yesterdays incident on tape, but if they've been watching you for a while, you can bet they burned footage to a CD, and they can charge you with multiple counts. They can prove you didn't pay via surveillance footage.

If you do get charged criminally, you can expect court costs and fines; the stores lawyers will also send a Civil Demand notice. And job hunting will be far more difficult with a criminal record. Aside from calling lawyers and making appointments immediately, you need to haul tail to apply for jobs before retail becomes an impossibility for you.

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Texas does not use FOC. Most states don't have FOC. That seems to be a Michigan construct.

OP, you need to contact the OAG to get a CS order/enforcement.

Texas CSEA

All you can do is wait and see,definitely avoid going to that store . If the store or police ask you any questions,say nothing without a lawyer present. Present the cops with id and that's all. I would even consider calling a lawyer for a free consultation or see if you can schedule a meeting with someone with the local legal aid office. If you haven't already then find out about food stamps. It important to stay quiet because maybe they can't proof the total amount you stole,this can be the difference between a felony or misdemeanor. It vital no matter what the store or cops say you,you don't speak with out a lawyer. Also try to get a job now while you have no record and also sometimes retail stores keep a database of shoplifters.

If the police arrest you chance are their not gonna care about your story on why you stole. Not trying to be mean or judgmental but they heard it all,saying nothing is best. Getting arrested who gonna take care of the kids,be careful.