Shoplifting at Wal Mart out-of-state

i was caught shoplifting (first offence- under $10) at a wal mart in missouri. they called the cops and he wrote me a ticket. i told them that i live in oklahoma and am unable to make the court date, so he told me to call the court and i will probably have to pay a fine. just out of curisity- about how much do you think they will fine me, or do you think they will just give me probation? (i am eighteen)
i also got a $175 fine from wal mart. the LP guy told me that my job will probably not find out about this(i work in retail...). does this mean i will only have a record in missouri but not in oklahoma?? and, i am trying to do this without my parents finding out, and im in highschool making little money. will the court and wal mart work with me to make payments?? and one more question, how long will it take for this to go off my record if i pay all the fines? thanks

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Quoting natalie

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just out of curisity- about how much do you think they will fine me, or do you think they will just give me probation? (i am eighteen)

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They'll give you a fine, or a fine and probation. A Missouri criminal defense attorney may be able to estimate the amount of the fine.

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Quoting natalie

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i also got a $175 fine from wal mart. the LP guy told me that my job will probably not find out about this(i work in retail...). does this mean i will only have a record in missouri but not in oklahoma??

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You will have a Missouri criminal record. That record could ultimately end up reflected in the criminal records of other states, particularly if you get into additional legal trouble.

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Quoting natalie

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and, i am trying to do this without my parents finding out, and im in highschool making little money. will the court and wal mart work with me to make payments??

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Maybe, but payment plans are more common with probation (which you apparently wish to avoid). You should bite the bullet, tell your parents, and work through a criminal defense lawyer in Missouri, to try to avoid having a criminal record.

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Quoting natalie

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and one more question, how long will it take for this to go off my record if i pay all the fines? thanks

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Criminal records last a lifetime, unless sealed or expunged.

thanks for all your help!

i contacted the court. they told me to hire an attorney. i emailed some but havnt gotten a response yet, but i am wondering, howmuch is an attorney going to cost??

i am also very afraid of my work finding out. i work with gap,inc. does anyone know if they do random background checks, and if they were to do one, would it show up since my record is in missouri?? and how likely is it to get this record sealed if i do hire an attorney??

ok. i jsut got an email from one attorney. $650!! I cant afford that! man oh man. lets just say i ignored the court. would i have a warrant in missouri only?? i really dont want my work to find out about this.

You need to actualy go in and see an attourney at his office. Most will take payments. It would be the worst thing you could do ignoring your court date. If worse comes to worse, show up to your court date and get a public defender.

thank you!
i have contacted another attorney. he said he may be able to get me off on a littering charge, since i am out of state and the normal thing to do is probation and a shoplifting program. he only charges 125 plus court fees, and hes been there since 1979, so i feel pretty good about it. my cousin is calling him tomorrow. thanks for all of your guys help!