Can Store Security Search You for Suspected Shoplifting

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania. I got caught shoplifting at Macy's. My first question is. Are the security guys aloud to go through your purse and wallet without your permission. Also without you even seeing them go through it? I was also curious if. I made payment arrangements. Do they still prosecute? This is not my first time getting caught shoplifting. I never was prosecuted for any of the others.. I am really nervous I may go to jail. I never realized how much of a sickness shoplifting is. Until now. They man at Macy's said to me. I know why you do it. ( to make money) I said to him to you honestly want to know why. I get very agitated and depressed. Once I go shoplifting even if it's for a pair of socks. I feel so much better. He couldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth. The police officer was telling me I was on dope and was being very rude. I'm not on any kinds of drugs

If there was a police officer involved, prosecution is almost certainly well on the way. You can expect to get served with the summons to court in one form or another. You will also likely get an order to come down to the courthouse or police station and get your mug shot and fingerprints. What happens next depends on what they charge you with. If they charge you with a summary offense (if the item was worth less than $150 and no priors), you essentially pay $50 or whatever the bail is now and either go to court or you pay the full fine and costs. You can go to court, but I recommend you get a lawyer. If you are charged with the misdemeanor, then you definitely will need an attorney. Your first court date will be a preliminary hearing/preliminary arraignment. This is an excellent time for your attorney to challenge the search (if it indeed was improper and prejudiced the case) or other probable cause or to work out ARD or some other plea bargain with the ADA. All the above is up before the local magistrate.

If your misdemeanor case goes forward, you go to common pleas court. It typically will take at least two more appearances (the formal arraignment and then the actual trial). You may also be sent to meet with the probation department to prepare a presentence investigation (do not discuss the crime with him, he's only there to review your job/home/history).

You can also expect to receive a letter from Macy's "lawyers" demanding civil restitution. This is independent of the criminal case against you.

You can expect for the summary case to spend upwards of about $200 in fines and costs. In the misdemeanrer case it'll run up around $1500 or more. Lawyers will cost you a few thousand, though if you are indigent, you can ask for a public defender to be appointed.

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Quoting Chrissy77

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I never realized how much of a sickness shoplifting is. Until now.

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Now that you realize it get some therapy before you do land in jail.

You're due.

I am already in therapy for it

What you will need to learn is that there is nothing they have at Macy's that is worth what you are now going through. They have nothing worth ruining your life for. There is no thrill worth that either, regardless of the value ot the items you have taken. You are worth way more than anything they have in any store, and yet you might ruin that. Think about that and reflect on it.

I do not understand the mentality shown so often here; I don't have any problem with taking things that don't belong to me, but it's not okay if the people I'm taking them from want to stop me.

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Quoting Chrissy77

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My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania. I got caught shoplifting at Macy's. My first question is. Are the security guys aloud to go through your purse and wallet without your permission. Also without you even seeing them go through it? I was also curious if. I made payment arrangements. Do they still prosecute? This is not my first time getting caught shoplifting. I never was prosecuted for any of the others.. I am really nervous I may go to jail. I never realized how much of a sickness shoplifting is. Until now. They man at Macy's said to me. I know why you do it. ( to make money) I said to him to you honestly want to know why. I get very agitated and depressed. Once I go shoplifting even if it's for a pair of socks. I feel so much better. He couldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth. The police officer was telling me I was on dope and was being very rude. I'm not on any kinds of drugs

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Why would you continue to shoplift if you're "nervous" about going to jail? Stop breaking the law. It's pretty simple. Also go get help for your possible kleptomania. Shoplifting is not sickness.

By the way, in some jurisdictions resisted the efforts of a merchant to recover stolen goods is a separate criminal offense in addition to the theft.