Employee Caught Trying to Steal

I worked at a retail store for over a month, but had previously worked at another chain for two years. I was caught shoplifting a ring ( it was under $8). I did cut the tag off and disgard it but had no intention of ever taking it, I just wanted to wear it around the store. LP approached me and after talking he ended up notifying the police. I was dismissed from the job and was issued a tresspassing warning for the mall it was in for a year. I really dont understand what is going to happen. The officer said that he would turn it over to the prosecuters office and they would notify me. I didnt get arrested but then he mentioned something about possibly being arrested later? He said there were several options of punishment. I want to know what they are and what will happen for each? The LP guy who I know said that usually these things are easy. I am 19 and am living on my own. How will I pay for all these things if something happens? This is my first offense and I am really worried. Will I have to go to court? Pay a fine? And will I be arrested and have to post bail, if so how much? I am really confused any help would be great! I live in Florida!

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Quoting help4me

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I worked at a retail store for over a month, but had previously worked at another chain for two years. I was caught shoplifting a ring ( it was under $8). I did cut the tag off and disgard it but had no intention of ever taking it,You cant prove your intent your actions suggest theft! I just wanted to wear it around the store. LP approached me and after talking he ended up notifying the police.Depending on your states laws you may not have committed a theft. Some states require you to leave store with unpaid for merchandise for there to be a theft check your local laws I was dismissed from the job and was issued a tresspassing warning for the mall it was in for a year.Both legal and normal I really dont understand what is going to happen.Yuo will go to court and face misdemeanor charges if store decideds to prosecute which it appears it is The officer said that he would turn it over to the prosecuters office and they would notify me.There is a chance DA will not pursue charges because of dollar value I didnt get arrested but then he mentioned something about possibly being arrested later?Yes He said there were several options of punishment. I want to know what they are and what will happen for each?Find a criminal defense Attorney and ask. The LP guy who I know said that usually these things are easy. I am 19 and am living on my own. How will I pay for all these things if something happens? Thats your problem This is my first offense and I am really worried. Will I have to go to court? Pay a fine?If charges are filed yes you will go to court if found guilty yes you will pay fines. And will I be arrested and have to post bail,Not likely most likely will be cite and release if so how much? I am really confused any help would be great! I live in Florida!

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What you havent mentioned is Civil Demand this will come in the form of a letter from store or legal firm. Its legal and has nothing to do with court. If you fail to pay this Civil Demand (normally around $300.00) you can sued for even more. Most companies will make payment arrangements with you. I hope than answers your questions

So if I pay the civil demand I wont have to go to court?

REREAD MY POST! the two have nothing to do with each other! Court is your criminal trial. Civil Demand is well "Civil"

So I will most likely have to do both. Pay the fine and appear in court and do that punishment? Someone told me about them dismssing the case in court, What are the chances of that?

that is something you should discuss with your Attorney

Not all retailers send civil demand letters to employees caught stealing. Some will only send them to external theft cases, not internal. So depending on who you work for, you may not receive one.

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Quoting FrankieFigs

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Not all retailers send civil demand letters to employees caught stealing. Some will only send them to external theft cases, not internal. So depending on who you work for, you may not receive one.

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Now thats news to me! I have yet to have known a retailer that ignores Civil Demand on internals yet goes after teh smaller price tag shoplifter. Oh well it could be.

Many retailers use promissory notes as opposed to civil demand for internal theft. By getting them to sign a legally binding contract it's easier to get the money back or go after their credit if they don't pay. It's alot easier to get an employee to sign documents rather than a shoplifter.

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Quoting panther10758

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Now thats news to me! I have yet to have known a retailer that ignores Civil Demand on internals yet goes after teh smaller price tag shoplifter. Oh well it could be.

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Don't know how it worked in your neck of the woods Panth, but in mine we don't CD internals, the judge always orders restitution.
Besides, if it's a fraud case like bogus refunds or charge credits our state law doesn't allow CD in those instances for those in (our) employ. Now if the internal is doing something like pass-offs or bogus refunds for their buds, then their buds get CD'd every time!

I was referring to the later