Shoplifting Help

Thanks Martha.

I cannot get the horrific feeling out of my head, when I was cuffed and walked to the squad car. It was a weekend and very, very crowded. Loads of people saw me cuffed and put into the squad car. Going to detention area was another nightmare. I kept praying that I could just naturally die. Other inmates actually thought their crimes/mideameanor was cool. I do not think anything I did was cool or fun, just a total nightmare. I cannot sleep, when I do sleep, I have horrible nightmares, my stomach hurts, I feel paranoid, I hate myself, I truly truly hate myself, I have trouble functioning during the day. I have 2 wonderful sons and a wonderful stepson. They dont know what happend to me. I have been trying so hard not to let them know why I feel depressed. I tell them I am unhappy cause I had a bad day at work.

Please do not hate yourself - just because of the circumstances of what happened - being cuffed, getting into the car, etc. are associated in your mind with translating into you are a horrible criminal because of crime shows, etc. does not mean that you are a horrible criminal. Try to step back from the situation and look at it in perspective. You committed a crime and so did I - we are both sorry and we both want to re-pay our debt and that is great. Not to minimize the crime, but take a look at a normal daily court report in the paper - now look at the fact that 90% of them did something worse than you - larceny of shoplifting (2nd-3rd offense) over 250 dollars, assault, battery, breaking and entering, domestic violence, etc. - the list goes on and on. Stop thinking of yourself as a horrible person!! I told my Dad and my boyfriend and what I loved was that they said, it was wrong and you know it was wrong but you are not a terrible person because you are sorry, because you want to make it right and because you know that you will never do that again. Further, you are a wonderful person because you are good to people, you are caring, you do a great job at work, etc. and you are not perfect and never will be. The way you talk about what happened to you I know that you are a good person and a loving mother. Let's say that someone has never shoplifted like you, well maybe they cheat on their husband, or abuse their kids, etc. etc. - what I'm saying is that we are all guilty of something and if we let it, it can be a teacher. I'm trying to get past the fear and move into, okay, what can I do about it? What is going on here? How can I pay back what I did if not to the store but to myself and others in my life? I am going into therapy about this and I am determined not to beat myself up over this for the rest of my life.

My original post was on 5/14/07 - Atlanta, Georgia - my husband and me are in our 40's - did a horrible thing. We shoplifted aprox $100 of merchandize from a large department store. We have never done anything like this before. We hate ourselves,however, cant bring back time. We have 3 young sons. Is there a chance that we will put into jail? Can we lose our boys? we cant believe that we did this stupd thing. we cant eat or sleep. even though we have never shoplift before we are scared police are going to come to our apartment and search for other stolen stuff. Their wont be anything of course. i wish we could erase this nightmare.

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We are still waiting for our court date. So we called the court house to see when we will get our court date. We also asked if we should have an attorney with us. The clerk told us that most people do not show up with an attorney at the arraignment. She did not come out and actually tell us that an attorney was not necessary, however, that is how is sounded. She said that at the arraignment - the people pleads guilty or not guilty. And that is the only thing that happens at an arraigment. Then another court date follows.

We are so confused. Should we hire an attorney to come with us to the arraingment? (We were both charged with first offense misdeammer shoplifting $100 from Walmart) (we were arrested, handcuffed, fingerprinted)

I trust your opionion. Pls help!

Since when is facing criminal charges without an Attorney wise!:rolleyes:

When we go to court - will it be on 2 separate days? First day/time .... the arraignment

and the 2nd time - the trial and sentencing?

Depends if you go and plead guilty with a prearranged plea bargain it will all get done then and there. No one can say for sure. However you should consult with a criminal defense Attorney right away so you get best deal.

Would the attorney come with me to the arraignment? Is the judge at the arraignement?

If you hire the Attorney before arraingement yes. Yes the judge is always present

I still do not have a court date howevr I saw online under my name... in the court information section...under "case category" "warrants issued from jail"

1. Are they looking for me?
2. ???

Please help.

I would say yes there is a warrant for your arrest. I suggest you find criminal defense Attorney