Shoplifting in Massachusetts

I was accused of shoplifting groceries worth 202 dollars from a retail grocery chain.I was detained..The store detective copied my driving license and SS number.Before the police came,the store detective said I might get summons from the court.The policecame,checked against my driving id and told him that I was clean and had no record whatsoever.The store detective said to the police that he would get a n0-trespassing order.The police told me that I was free and that Icould leve.They told me never to return to the store again.It was a stupid stupid thing to do.But I did swipe my card (loyalty card) at the counter--tried inserting money.The notes were probabaly crumpled and the counter spit the money back.I then stood in the line at the second checkout counter.(these are self-checkout counters --there is a tablet that is used for shopping and the customer can bag as they go.when they swipe the card at the checkout,their order is brought up).I swiped the loyalty card again--this is where I was stupid.since I had already swiped it once ,the second time no information was brought up at the checkout.The total was $0.00.I looked at the amount,decided that it was the stores problem(wrong,wrong,wrong) andwalked out.All this is on tape.WHAT HAPPENS NOW?IT WAS WRONG OF ME--NO QUESTION--but what I narrated was the way it happened.PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME.GOD KNOWS WHAT I AM FEELING NOW .

You have little to worry about as it seems no charges were filed. You need to stay out of store and wait for Civil Demand letter to arrive and pay that soon as possible

Yes,I intend to do that.what I am not able to get over is the part that I could be so unethical.

Apart from that,arent the police required to file a report?They didnt ask me to sign any forms at the store though!!!!

And I appreciate your taking the time to answer.I cant seem to stop crying though and am very very scared.Serves me right,I guess but if only I could stop this knot in my stomach .

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Quoting buddy13

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Yes,I intend to do that.what I am not able to get over is the part that I could be so unethical.

Apart from that,arent the police required to file a report?They didnt ask me to sign any forms at the store though!!!!Contact them and ask. However they are not arresting party store LP is

And I appreciate your taking the time to answer.I cant seem to stop crying though and am very very scared.Serves me right,I guess but if only I could stop this knot in my stomach .

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The Police report (if any) will only mimic store report.

I am scared because before the police came,the store detective said I might get court summons

Can charges be filed later?And if I do get court summons what is that I can expect?Will I go to prison?

Long as SOL has not run out yes charges can be filed. Prison? not likely unless your a previous criminal or felon.

I do not even have a parking ticket.

Then its very unlikley you would get any jail time

Thank you once again for the time you have taken to reply.

Forgive me if I am being annoyingly persistent but if I do get court summons what can I expect.

To face charges of theft. Consult with a criminal defense Attorney about this and ask about diversion programs and if you qualify.

Is there a way ,I can find out whether charges were filed against me?Can I ask the local district court?

And what is the likely time frame for me to get any letter?

Yes you can call court everyday and see if charges were filed. The Civil Demand letter could taker days, weeks even months. Contact the store ask them for a contact phone number for their Civil Recovery service and call them.