Help For Shoplifting Charges in Washington State
I am 20 years old. I was caught for shoplifting in a Macy's store. It was an honest to God accident. I had it in my hand and then put my hand in my pocket to get my cell phone. When I was stopped and asked to empty my pocket, I was not even aware until I felt my pocket what was going on. regardless of it being an accident or not, the $70.00 item was found in my pocket. I cooperated with everyone. The police were not called. The 2 people that stopped me told me I would be recieving a court date in the mail. I signed the no trespassing waiver.
My question now is: Is it any different for me since the cops were nto called from the rest of the posts where cops were invovlved.
Does any one have any advice for me? I am a college student and can not afford to have this on my record?
Thanks in advance for any commetns and advice!
Re: Shoplifting in WA state, need help!
Also, what are the laws for Washington State? Specifically Yakima county?
Re: Shoplifting in WA state, need help!
first off no disrespect but NO ONE is going to believe your really bad story about how it was an accident. If you feel better about telling yourself that then fine but we know better. YOu are in luck if the police were not called. But if they said you will recieve a court date then to me that means they are still going to charge you through the court system. SO it sounds like to me you should call and ask if you are being prosecuted. If so you will have a court date fines, fees, a record etc. Did you sign a civil demand?
Re: Shoplifting in WA state, need help!
Macy's Loss Prevention is going to turn your info and their report to DA at some point Da will seek an arrest warrant and you will be asked to turn yourself in. I would advise you to seek a criminal defense Attorney now as opposed to later.
Re: Help For Shoplifting Charges in Washington State
Thank you for you advice. I understnad no one will believ eit was an accident, that is why Im looking for help.
If the police were not called, and I was not told I had to turn myself in, why woudl I have to do that? Will I be getting a court date first, along with the fees?
What would the civil demands letter i would have signed say? I recall signing a paper saying I will not go into Macys for a year. One that I wrote my current info down on and signed. But those are the only 2 i recall. I remember them telling me I would be getting a fine from Macys in the mail.
Any other advice?
Re: Help For Shoplifting Charges in Washington State
Ive been reading about expunging and askign for a defered sentence. Does anyone know if WA state allows that? or how do i find out if i qualify for this?
I contacted an attorney and they said to contact them once i had the court paper in my hand.
Re: Help For Shoplifting Charges in Washington State
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If the police were not called, and I was not told I had to turn myself in, why woudl I have to do that?
Macy's does not have to call Police right away in fact it takes less tiem if they don't. they can turn info over to PD who then will seek warrant for your arrest at this point you make get a call, leter or visit from Police asking you to turn yourself in. Why would you do that simple would you rather they come to your home or work and take you out in handcuffs?
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What would the civil demands letter
Civil demand is a non criminal action against you in which you will be requested (demanded) to pay. This can range from $50.00 to $1000.00 depending on dollar value of theft and state laws. This amount has nothing to do with court fines or any criminal action that may or may not take place
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Ive been reading about expunging and askign for a defered sentence
What you want is defered.
Re: Help For Shoplifting Charges in Washington State
So how do i go about getting it defered? and what exactly does that mean?
(Im assuming it still is on my record.)
The LP's told me that the police were not called because i cooperated so yell and when they ckecked my record, i had nothing. wouldnt they have told me then taht i would be in contact with the police at a later date?
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!
Re: Help For Shoplifting Charges in Washington State
Do you have a court date? If not then just pay the Civil Demand and be happy
Re: Help For Shoplifting Charges in Washington State
i do not have a court date YET, but they said it would come.