Accused of Shoplifting But Not Guilty

Hi, Me and My friend went to Macys in GA state. The first thing we shopped was a pair of ear rings and hand rings worth #37.20. We wanted to pay the bill for all the items at once so due to no carts available we were holding the merchandise in our hands....the shopping went on till 2 hours before we had to go and try a pair of swim suits and stuff my friend gave me the rings so that I can put them in my trosure as she was wearing a tight jeans and I did and we completely forgot about them. We bought items for around $300 paid all of them and with out realizing we just walked out of the door. A person walked to us and said that we are being held back as we have jewellery on us for which we have not paid. The moment we realized we said we are sorry it did not strike us and we will pay the money back .......but he was not ready to listen to us he said it was completely intentional of what you did....and both of you are lodged in the case as it was your friend who wanted you to put the merchandise on you so she is charged and as I had it in my pocket so I get charged we pleaded him saying 7 years in our US life there has been no instance like this, it was completely a forgotten mistake and we had no clue.....We feel very strong about it as we did not keep them intentionally......It was just a unintentional slipage from the mind.....
Cop came and gave us a court date. We are completely clueless on whats gonna happen as I am on H4 and my friend is on H1. We need help is this gonna effect her career or our status in this country. We have no record of any crime nor do we have any intetions of doing any thing like this.....

Please advice what do we do ? Is there any way we can prove our innocense and get this off the records ?
Please some one help

I'm afraid legally you are guilty. You took unpaid for merchandise out of the store. Accidental or not thats theft. You should consult with a criminal defense Attorney soon as you can

You can try the "it was an accident' defense, but it is unlikely that anybody will believe you. The "my hands were full so I put it in my pocket and forgot it" defense is used by shoplifters all the time. Small items like jewelry are hot targets for shoplifters. So whatever truth there is in your story, you look like shoplifters and you sound like shoplifters.

Get a lawyer to assist you with your defense.

I think you're fighting an uphill battle; your story is extraordinarily difficult to believe. (But not particularly uncommon.)

HI,

I received a letter from Macy's today asking me to pay 150 dollars. Does this mean that once I pay this amount I am out of these charges ? or do I still need to go to the court ?

Some one please respond

Macy's has no authority to dismiss or prosecute criminal cases.


By the way, that is a very common and really unimaginative story.

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Quoting Iamnotguilty

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HI,

I received a letter from Macy's today asking me to pay 150 dollars. Does this mean that once I pay this amount I am out of these charges ? or do I still need to go to the court ?

Some one please respond

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This is "Civil" Demand its a "Civil" action it has nothing to do with the criminal case

Are we saying even after I pay the fine I still need to go to the Court ? and this would reflect on my Record.....is that what it means ?

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Quoting Iamnotguilty

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Are we saying even after I pay the fine I still need to go to the Court ? and this would reflect on my Record.....is that what it means ?

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Yes and yes. As stated, the civil demand letter has nothing to do with you being charged with a criminal act.