Got Caught, No Paperwork, No Police
This happened in Virginia, I am 17 and was a minor at the time of the incident. No prior arrests, charges, or even speeding tickets.
I was at an L.L. Bean in Tyson's Corner Mall in Virginia with a few friends (who are admittedly bad influences) and I removed tags from a hat but didn't take it. They egged me on when outside the store, I returned and took the hat. While walking away, an LP grabbed me (outside the store, but in the mall), flashed a badge, handcuffed me, told me I was arrested, and led me to a backroom in the L.L. Bean. He later implied that he was not the Mall Police and was employed by L.L. Bean.
He took my name, number and address as well as the names and phone numbers of my parents. I had no photo ID on me, and never filled out any paperwork other than writing down my parents numbers on looseleaf paper. He did ask me my name and address but did not get my SSN. When my dad came to get me, he took my dad's name and driver's license number. He told me about the Civil Recovery thing but I never filled out any Store or Police Reports. My parents arrived and took me home, and I was released and never told I was banned. Apparently they have me on camera.
Is it possible that he just filled out the form when I told him my address without my knowledge?
To what extent would I have to pay if so?
He also told me that I would get a summons from the juvenile court, but I never heard or saw him talk to any police officers. I was never told I was officially charged with anything, will I still probably go to court?
I was already accepted to college but have not committed yet or signed any honor pledge. Can/will the college rescind my acceptance?
I know there is a program where the charges are dismissed for first-time offenders in exchange for 50 hours of community service, in what form is this on my record?
Stupidest thing I ever did, help me out with some answers?
Re: Got Caught, No Paperwork, No Police?
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Quoting
kirjava
Is it possible that he just filled out the form when I told him my address without my knowledge?
What form are you talking about?
Quote:
Quoting kirjava
To what extent would I have to pay if so?
You mean, how much will the civil demand be? Read this. Probably around $200.
Quote:
Quoting kirjava
He also told me that I would get a summons from the juvenile court, but I never heard or saw him talk to any police officers. I was never told I was officially charged with anything, will I still probably go to court?
If he files a police report, odds are that charges will be authorized.
Quote:
Quoting kirjava
I was already accepted to college but have not committed yet or signed any honor pledge. Can/will the college rescind my acceptance?
I doubt it, but that's up to your college.
Quote:
Quoting kirjava
I know there is a program where the charges are dismissed for first-time offenders in exchange for 50 hours of community service, in what form is this on my record?
If you get a dismissal of the charge, your record would show the initial charge but would reflect the disposition as a dismissal (not a conviction). Virginia restricts access to juvenile court records. (More details here.)
Re: Got Caught, No Paperwork, No Police?
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Quoting
Mr. Knowitall
What form are you talking about?
Well in what I've read and heard, usually people have to fill out a form at the store banning them until further notice and basically admitting to the act shoplifting, but I thought it was odd that I was never presented with this. I believe that what I'm referring to is the petition. Does this affect anything at all?
"The petition is delivered with the summons to those people who are required to be in court as parties in the case. No petition is required when a juvenile is arrested and released on a summons written by an arresting officer."
Since there was no arresting officer, would I have had to contribute to the petition or would it be filled out entirely by the loss prevention department?
Re: Got Caught, No Paperwork, No Police?
Follow up: The post you linked to was very informative, thanks.
Do you happen to know if generally retail would more likely go for the civil demand or criminal charges?
The LP mentioned I would be liable for some part of the cost of their security system and that my parents would have to pay for that, which I guess was civil demand, he mentioned the law about it. He implied that the store policy was to do this. However he also said I would be summoned to juvenile court "in a few weeks", and at the time I didn't know they could only choose one.
Re: Got Caught, No Paperwork, No Police?
The retailer has more to gain with Civil Demand than criminal charges but in most states they allow both!
Re: Got Caught, No Paperwork, No Police?
In this post,
Virginia's Shoplifting Statutes:
Code of Virginia Title 8.01, Chapter 2, Article 3
Code of Virginia Title 18.2, Chapter 5, Article 3
are referenced, but I couldn't find any documentation confirming if the business can only choose one. Is there anywhere to find out if this holds true in Virginia?