What's the Punishment for a Second Time Shoplifting Offense
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington
Hello, I live in Washington State and 2 days ago I was caught shoplifting at a department store. I know it doesn't matter to you and I'm a thief and it's an awful thing to do and there's no excuse, I know, I agree with you, but this IS completely out of character for me and I feel absolutely horrible and wretched over this, I'm not a criminal and am normally a completely law abiding citizen. There's a lot to the story and my situation, mental health, current life stressors etc...but I'll stick to the facts. The only other time I've ever been in trouble besides a traffic infraction was 5yrs ago. It was, for the exact same crime, at a different store. I had never been in any kind of trouble before that and was extremely remorseful, I hated myself for it. It happened under the same mental circumstances I'm in right now, with the same life stressors, depression and other issues etc etc...and the state at that time gave me a deferred adjudication, I payed my court fines and had no charges or other problems for a year and after that the case was dropped and done away with. I don't know why I made this STUPID mistake and did this STUPID HORRIBLE thing again, I know that both times I've done this I was extremely depressed and under a lot of stress, and hurting financially very badly. Even though the case was dismissed last time I know that the state will obviously still see on my record that this is my 2nd offense, and I am scared to death! I'm a mother of three children, a mom who takes care of her kids every day, kids who flourish and get good grades. In every way other than these two very serious STUPID MISTAKES I've made in my life I'm just your average every day wife, mom & citizen. I'm just wondering if I can get ANY idea of what I might be looking at as far as punishment for this, it being a 2nd offense?? Is there ANY way possible the court/prosecutor might take it somewhat easy on me again? I'm fairly sure they won't offer me another deferred adjudication?? I know no one can tell me exactly what will happen, I'm just scared to death of jail time. I have three children and my husband works 7 days a week I need to be with my kids. Just wondering if there are any attorneys or people whove seen a similar case before, if anyone has seen a second offense similar to this, and the person been given just fines, probation, community service?? All of the above with required counseling or classes for shoplifting issues?? Can anyone give me any insight at all? I do have a consult with an attorney scheduled in two days, to see what advice I can get. But I have no money to retain him. If I end up needing an attorney to defend me I'll have to get a court appointed one. Can ANYONE offer me ANY advice or insight on my situation?? Please, any info or advice or information AT ALL, other than "get an attorney" would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for any info you can provide me.
Re: Any Info on What to Expect from a Second Time Shoplifting Offense
Paragraphs and brevity are your friend.
I couldn't read through this whole rambling thing, but to answer the title of your post, "jail."
Any understanding you could have possibly gotten from a court because of your depression, etc. evaporated after the first offense. A court will sometimes take issues like that into consideration with some supporting documentation, but it's not likely they will on a second offense when clearly you haven't managed your issues yourself.
Re: Any Info on What to Expect from a Second Time Shoplifting Offense
I'm sorry that my rambling post was too long for your liking, and that I didn't use paragraphs. I wrote this somewhat late at night, after having spent two days in misery, fear and guilt and shame over the mistake I've made. Yes, even stupid, thieving jerks like ME, make mistakes, which is what this was. Yes, it was the second time I've done it, I made the same MISTAKE, 5 years ago, at a very similar low point in my life.
Did you know people who have clinical and/or long te depression are more likely to shoplift than anyone else? That shoplifting and mental health disorders are more linked than any other two petty crime with any other disorder? No, I'm not looking for a "can't be held responsible" card because of my mental health issues. I'm just saying that I KNOW in my heart, my mental health issues at this moment, along with different medications I've recently been put on, and various other factors, have SOMETHING to do with WHY I did this inexplicable thing, AGAIN. Because for me, that's what it is, inexplicable. Other than these two STUPID moments in my life, 5 years apart, I've never done a thing wrong in my life!
I'm not a serial criminal, or thief, despite what you've probably decided about me. I'm honestly a normal, average everyday mother of three and wife, who teaches her own kids right from wrong and not to steal or lie. What I did makes no sense, not even to me. You seem to think they'll be sending me to jail. For my children's sake I hope that isn't what happens. Other attorneys I've enailed and spoken to said that most likely won't happen. Honestly I think all I'm doing with these forums and research is scaring myself even more, and opening myself up to judgment and hate from people who don't really know me.
Re: Any Info on What to Expect from a Second Time Shoplifting Offense
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Mrg1234
I'm sorry that my rambling post was too long for your liking, and that I didn't use paragraphs. I wrote this somewhat late at night, after having spent two days in misery, fear and guilt and shame over the mistake I've made. Yes, even stupid, thieving jerks like ME, make mistakes, which is what this was. Yes, it was the second time I've done it, I made the same MISTAKE, 5 years ago, at a very similar low point in my life.
Notice that I'm the only one even answering you? That's because this is thick and hard to wade through. Also, do not refer to this as a "mistake." You didn't accidentally walk out without paying for merchandise, you CHOSE to do so. There's no mistake here.
Did you know people who have clinical and/or long te depression are more likely to shoplift than anyone else? That shoplifting and mental health disorders are more linked than any other two petty crime with any other disorder? Yes I do. And I've probably both done more research on it and experienced it first hand than you. Suffice it to say, I'm very well aware of the link and have seen it many times. And no, that still doesn't excuse you. It means that you need to get help so that you don't make these choies in the future.No, I'm not looking for a "can't be held responsible" card because of my mental health issues. I'm just saying that I KNOW in my heart, my mental health issues at this moment, along with different medications I've recently been put on, and various other factors, have SOMETHING to do with WHY I did this inexplicable thing, AGAIN. Because for me, that's what it is, inexplicable. Other than these two STUPID moments in my life, 5 years apart, I've never done a thing wrong in my life! Yes they likely do have SOMETHING to do with it. And they are still your responsibility to overcome.
I'm not a serial criminal, or thief, despite what you've probably decided about me. You are a thief by your own admission. A serious criminal? That's a subjective judgement that I will refrain from because it is irrelevant to this conversation.I'm honestly a normal, average everyday mother of three and wife, who teaches her own kids right from wrong and not to steal or lie. What I did makes no sense, not even to me. You seem to think they'll be sending me to jail. I think that SOME jail time is likely, yes. That could mean as little as 2 - 3 days, but it could be much more. I don't know where you are, what the judges/magistrates of that court are like, what their sentencing practices are, what deal your lawyer might work out, etc. For my children's sake I hope that isn't what happens. Then stop being a repeat offender.Other attorneys I've enailed and spoken to said that most likely won't happen. They would know your area and the courts better than anyone on an annonymous internet forum. If you already got your question answered, why are you here? Honestly I think all I'm doing with these forums and research is scaring myself even more, and opening myself up to judgment and hate from people who don't really know me. You asked for answers and opinions. You've been given them.
Answers imbedded.
Re: What's the Punishment for a Second Time Shoplifting Offense
Volunteer at a library. You will not have time for theft urges.
Re: Any Info on What to Expect from a Second Time Shoplifting Offense
Well Deputy Dog what you'd see if you read my response better was I said I'm not a SERIAL criminal, not 'serioys'. And yes, regardless of how you choose to want to word this, it WAS a mistake. Yes, I made a conscious decision, whether I was in my right mind at the time I or not, I still made that very stupid decision, sometimes in life a bad decision isade and a person makes a MISTAKE. Mistake by definition means 'an action or judgment that is misguided or wrong'. I don't know how YOU classify it or if you have your own personal definition of the word, but to me that sounds EXACTLY like what I did, made a an action, and judgment that was misguided and wrong. Therefore...a MISTAKE.
You seem to think you're much more researched than me in the area of mental health and it's relation to these types of crimes, perhaps you are I don't know. I don't feel the need to be snarky with you and try to prove I know more than you, I don't know you. I know VERY WELL that my mental health issues and things I am going thru are MY responsibility to overcome, hence why I'm already actively, since before this incident, seeking professional help. I go to counseling twice a week and see a psychiatrist once a month.
Yes, because I LOVE MY CHILDREN MORE than life itself I do not want to spend even a night in jail! NOT because I don't want to pay for my crime, because as you said, by MY OWN admission, I DID commit the crime, but because my children need me and I need them and I love them more than my own life, and because despite the judgment you've made about me I did NOT PLAN ahead of time to do this incredibly STUPID THING I did and mess up my life or in ANY WAY hurt my children. My LIFES GOAL from this point forward wil be to NEVER do ANYTHING this stupid EVER AGAIN or EVER again repeat my offense...just for your personal info.
I did not once say that my mental health issues excuse me, that ANYTHING excuses me from what I did or that I don't deserve to be punished, or ask to be felt sorry for. I want to pay for my crime, and I know that will include monetary payment as well as most likely a record that follows me, I don't care if I have to be humiliated picking up trash on the roads, go to court mandated classes, ANYTHING. Do I want to go to jail and be separated from my amazing children who love their mother? No, I'm sorry I dont. Yes, I KNOW I need to NOT be a repeat offender! I NEVER planned on being one!! Not everyone who makes a MISTAKE, yes it WAS a MISTAKE, at least according to the Oxford Dictionary, of this calibur, is a bad person. Were you to meet me on the street, or in a casual setting and not know I'd done this stupid thing you'd probanly think I was a very nice person and enjoy my company.
ALL I was looking for in this thread was a little information, or advice, from anyone who might have possibly seen or been through a similar experience or situation. But a lot of people who respond on these posts seem to be doing it for the sole purpose of being mean and judgmental. I've read some of your other Rey's on other threads, and no, you just don't seem very nice, I'm sorry. Any way you might want to think about giving your responses based on your knowledge, whatever that may be, but not do it in such a sarcastic and belittling way? Just something to think about. It's called common human decency, which even people who have made REPEAT MISTAKES in their lives, deserve.
Re: Any Info on What to Expect from a Second Time Shoplifting Offense
For a repeat offense, you should speak to a criminal defense attorney.
You offer a lot of excuses for your behavior- have you discussed this with your psychiatrist? I would.
Re: Any Info on Possible Outcome of Second Shoplifting Offense
What makes you think posting a second thread on the same subject will get you different replies?
Re: Any Info on Possible Outcome of Second Shoplifting Offense
The
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geek
What makes you think posting a second thread on the same subject will get you different replies?
Really?? You know I just don't understand the rudeness. I'm not looking for 'different replies'. I was advised that if I used paragraphs and punctuated a little better that more people might read the post and respond to it. So that's what I did. Hoping maybe I could get some more responses and/or advice or information. It was pointed out to me my post was long and rambling in one big paragraph that's why no one was answering, so I changed it, in hopes of someone with actual information or experience might read it and answer. Does that make any sense? Or am I going to be judged for that too
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geek
What makes you think posting a second thread on the same subject will get you different replies?
Also, I didn't even see that you had reied to my other thread until after I posted this one. Just so you know.