Shoplifting at 7-11

I'm a 22 yo college student, graduating in December. I was at a 7 11 the other night, drunk out of my mind. There was no reason I should have been in there like I was. I went around the store collecting food, my hands became full, and I put some string cheese in my back pocket, leaving it blatantly exposed so I would remember it and so it wasn't look like i was stealing. I wasn't stealing it! I was drunk and had no hands! I went to the register threw all my items up....before i could reach for my wallet the clerk yelled to the cops outside "officer, this gentlemen has goods in his pocket". The cops immediately came in and I was arrested. I never got to pay for my items, I never left the store with any unpaid items. I tried to explain to the cops, but they just kept saying "shut the hell up, and stand still". I was given a ticket and sent home.

I'm pleading not guilty, Im confident that when I explain the story to the judge he will understand. I really don't have the funds to hire a lawyer. I am in the process of interviewing with top accounting firms, and if they find anything about theft that will be the end of my accounting career. With that said, will they see the pending theft charge when doing a background check? I feel like running my car off the road at this point...like my college has been wasted, and my career and life ruined. Any advice?

Check your states shoplifting Laws. Many states concealment (what you did) is a crime. Explaining to the judge you were too drunk wont help! You know the old saying about defending yourself.

I am thinking about going into the store to talk to the clerk. It is a 50 year old hippie, whom I've had small talk conversations with for the past 3 years, I know he recognizes me. If I tell him my side, and that its a big understanding, can I get him to get the charges dropped? I am freaking out right now, I cant even sleep right anymore. On top of this my girlfriend just broke up with me, hence my being as drunk as I was that night. Part of me feels like I only did this to forget about her. Please gimme some thoughts :(

Advice lay off the pity defense "I was drunk" "my girl broke up with me" None of that justifies a crime. Think about it! Going to store owner saying your sorry or offering something in return could benefit you and have owner drop charges. I might the DA might not press case either over such a small amount. Even if prosecuted you will likely NOT see jail pay some iminal fines community service and summary probation. You could also look to see if your state offers a diversion program which would help keep a conviction off your record.

I'm curious about both the presence of the police and the manner in which they swept in on you. I suspect that your drunken behavior created an "all eyes on you" situation for the loss prevention department (and perhaps pretty much everybody else in the store) such that your appearing to pocket merchandise was spotted and interpreted as probable intent to steal, and that your failure to produce the cheese from your pocket was all they needed to be convinced that they were right. But I'm wondering if you were so far gone that the police were called about you in relation to your public drunkenness.

With no offense intended, you should be prepared to demonstrate to the court that you're getting your alcohol problem under control. Even if you don't think you have an alcohol problem, don't expect the court, probation department or prosecutor to agree with you. You're in college, so you may be able to get a screening for an alcohol problem as well as counseling through your school, perhaps free or for a minimal fee. (If you go through a screening and they say "This guy doesn't have a problem", all's the better for you.)

FYI this is over 3 peices of string cheese, probably $2.50 worth of goods???? I honestly had my hands full and tossed the cheese in my back pocket of my jeans, conspicuously exposed (more than half the package hanging out) as to prevent any idea of theft. Wont this cancel off the charge of concealment??? I cannot believe my life and career aspirations might be ruined over a stupid drunk misunderstanding. I do not have the money for a lawyer, but do you believe I should absolutely try to get one? If I have any trace of theft on my record my hopes of being an accountant are shot. :wallbang:

I know of no 7/11 that use "Loss Prevention" however some stores (like some grocery stores) use uniformed security guards! Now this security guards are not normally trained well in shoplift arrest or procedures! I again suggest you find your states shoplifting laws and see if you actually committed a crime! Keep in mind they should have video on you so make sure your tale matches what actually happened

the 7 11 always has officers outside the doors of the store on the weekends. I guess this is to control all the drunk college kids going in and out. I cannot remember half the night I was so drunk. Yes I do have a drinking problem with cutting myself off, but I am no thief. Should I attend AA meetings and relay this to the court that Im trying to fix my drinking? I dont want them to think that I did this because I was drunk.

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Quoting panther10758

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I know of no 7/11 that use "Loss Prevention"....

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You're right. 7-11's seem to have a tiny staff backed up by video surveillance (which is probably more about robberies than retail fraud).

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Quoting detwinger

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Should I attend AA meetings and relay this to the court that Im trying to fix my drinking? I dont want them to think that I did this because I was drunk.

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If you can get alcohol counseling through your school, that can be more effective than simply starting with AA. It is likely that your counselor would recommend AA in addition to whatever counseling or other services are available to you. If you can't get counseling and you're ready for sobriety, AA is a good place to start.