Shoplifter Left the Store After Being Confronted by Loss Prevention
My question involves criminal law for the state of: new york
Hello, please if you have any idea what is going to happen let me know!
About a week ago, I shoplifting a little under 100$ worth of cosmetics from walmart. And I have previous times as well. I FEEL SO BAD. Im so scared. Anyways, at the door a lady stopped me and asked me to show her inside my bag saying she was an LP officer. I panicked and said no, however I quickly told her my name. (Its hard to spell and I'm not sure if she heard it correctly?) I walked out, and I got into my car. I dont think she saw my license plate however they probably have cameras right?
I haven't heard anything since then. Ive done researched and I'm honestly not sure what to expect. Will I get a court date in the mail? Or do they have no way to find me?
I understand I deserve a punishment. However, I CANNOT have this on my record. I turned 18 a few months ago, I have had a job throughout high school saving for college and I am in the middle of college applications as we speak. If I get anything on my record, I could lose scholarships and financial aid which I desperately need. I've never had anything on my record- not even a speeding ticket. I volunteer for the community, I really haven't done anything like this.
Will I receive a court date? If I do, is there any way I could contact Walmart and beg to drop charges and pay any fees? Or will it be too late after a court date is assigned? If they can't/won't drop the charges and I get a court date, will I have to go to jail? Is there anyway to beg the judge not to put this on my record because of my previously clean record and current situation with college?
Also, I have saved up 3,000$ for college. It isn't much, but it was going to pay the difference of my tuition. If I have a court date, would it be worth it to hire a lawyer? Or would it be useless? I really need that money- if it isn't going to make a big difference hiring a lawyer, id rather not. Please help!
Re: Confusing Walmart Shoplifting Situation
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sarayeagz
I haven't heard anything since then. Ive done researched and I'm honestly not sure what to expect. Will I get a court date in the mail?
Maybe or an officer might come to your home and arrest you.
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sarayeagz
Or do they have no way to find me?
Oh yeah, with a tag they can. Will they? who knows but I wouldn't bet against it.
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sarayeagz
I understand I deserve a punishment.
Yup.
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sarayeagz
However, I CANNOT have this on my record.
Should have thought about that before embarking on a crime spree.
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sarayeagz
If I get anything on my record, I could lose scholarships and financial aid which I desperately need.
Should have thought about that before embarking on a crime spree.
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sarayeagz
I've never had anything on my record- not even a speeding ticket.
Get ready for that to change.
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sarayeagz
I volunteer for the community,
That doesn't excuse criminal behavior.
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sarayeagz
I really haven't done anything like this.
Yes, you have. Repeatedly by your own admission.
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sarayeagz
Will I receive a court date?
We don't know. A warrant may also be issued for your arrest.
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sarayeagz
If I do, is there any way I could contact Walmart and beg to drop charges and pay any fees?
Any contact with them would be an admission of guilt, I'd avoid that. If they have reported it to the police, it's out of their hands.
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sarayeagz
If they can't/won't drop the charges and I get a court date, will I have to go to jail?
For a first offense (or at least a first time getting caught)? I doubt it.
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sarayeagz
Is there anyway to beg the judge not to put this on my record because of my previously clean record and current situation with college?
Your best bet would be to get a lawyer if charged to negotiate the best possible outcome.
Re: Confusing Walmart Shoplifting Situation
Thanks for the information but I already feel awful and stupid and I mean this is going to pretty much ruin my life. I may never go to med school or get a decent job because I stole makeup? Yeah, you can bet I feel stupid. However, next time you answer someones forum how about you try to be a little more sympathetic. People make mistakes. I'm a criminal and I am fully aware of all your sarcastic comments thanks!
Re: Confusing Walmart Shoplifting Situation
Re: Confusing Walmart Shoplifting Situation
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sarayeagz
how about you try to be a little more sympathetic. People make mistakes. I'm a criminal and I am fully aware of all your sarcastic comments thanks!
I don't see any sarcasm in the answer. But even if it were, you didn't make a mistake, you chose to be a thief, it wasn't a mistake. A mistake is putting the wrong color eye shadow on or dropping the lipstick container. You chose to conceal something that belonged to another. That is not a mistake.
Re: Confusing Walmart Shoplifting Situation
No, a mistake is an action or judgment that is misguided or wrong. I made a mistake. I was looking for suggestions and actual advice. Not someone to tell me how much of a criminal I am. I think it's pretty obvious I committed a crime. I know I can have this on my record, but I was looking for someone to tell me how to minimize this chance.
Re: Confusing Walmart Shoplifting Situation
However, I CANNOT have this on my record.
The time to worry about this was before you stole. It is now no longer within your control whether you have this on your record or not. I have absolutely no sympathy for thieves who don't have any compunctions about taking what doesn't belong to them but whine at the thought of actually having to face the results of your actions. If you are denied college opportunities or scholarships because of this, you have no one to blame but yourself. You don't get a free pass on criminal activity because it would be inconvenient for you to have to deal with the consequences.
Wearing odd shoes is a mistake. Stealing on multiple occasions is a choice.
Re: Confusing Walmart Shoplifting Situation
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sarayeagz
No, a mistake is an action or judgment that is misguided or wrong. I made a mistake. I was looking for suggestions and actual advice. Not someone to tell me how much of a criminal I am. I think it's pretty obvious I committed a crime. I know I can have this on my record, but I was looking for someone to tell me how to minimize this chance.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mistake?s=t
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Mistake: an error in action, calculation, opinion, or judgment caused by poorreasoning, carelessness, insufficient knowledge, etc.
Re: Confusing Walmart Shoplifting Situation
You're assuming that we have an interest in helping you minimize the chances of having a criminal record.
That assumption is a mistake.
Re: Confusing Walmart Shoplifting Situation
IM NOT WHINING I ONLY INCLUDED IT TO KNOW IF THE JUDGE WILL BE MORE FORGIVING BASED ON THE SITUATION OR NOT. How are you people lecturing me about a crime when I already stated I understand I deserve consequences. Please, I'm just looking for advice???