Should I Confess

My question involves criminal law for the state of: CA my son recently shoplifted from a major market chain, He got away, don't know if was caught on camera. Its been like 5 days. Want him to confess but don't know what they will do, I am getting help on his problem but am scared this will snowball. He is over 18 and the car he drove away was his. Should I get an attorney and have him talk to the market or just let it go.

I don't think there's any reason to hire an attorney but there will be, soon, if he doesn't straighten out. If you and your son discuss the issue with the manager at the store and your son makes restitution, it's not going to result in his arrest.

He's lucky to have a mom who's concerned about his behavior; hopefully, it won't continue.

With the amount of time that has passed, they will allow for restitution? That is putting alot of trust in a store manager who could just call the cops. Especially if he comes clean, heck there may be no evidence what so ever that could tie it to him. He is pretty scared at this moment and it has left a mark on him thinking at any second the cops will show. (Don't know how true that is but its working.) I just don't know if it is the right decision and I may end up in the same boat if the cops do show up. I hear there so harsh on either way.

Do you know the approximate dollar value of the item your son stole?

You son should certainly not go unpunished, but by you reporting him things could go worse for him, then if he was caught at that time. You should think of another way to have him be punished.

Return the items or money via the mail with no return address. Far as catching him they have until the statute of limitations runs out which is somewhere between one and two years

Yes we are going to reimburse with his money the items were under $30.00 and I think were going to buy the replacements. Then anonymously return them back to the store. I know the statue runs out in two years so they could get him and I am hoping the market security is two busy to concentrate on something that already got away. Or they just didn't notice at the time, I hear there under staffed and don't really watch every monitor.

Just go to the grocery store and buy some items and donate them to a food bank. Or just go to the manager and explain it to them, I doubt they will prosecute, they will be happy they got their money for the items.

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Quoting Supermarket_guilt

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Yes we are going to reimburse with his money the items were under $30.00 and I think were going to buy the replacements. Then anonymously return them back to the store. I know the statue runs out in two years so they could get him and I am hoping the market security is two busy to concentrate on something that already got away. Or they just didn't notice at the time, I hear there under staffed and don't really watch every monitor.

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For a theft of under $30 I highly doubt the store or the local police department is going to come after your son.

Where I agree with that it is not a guarantee.

I am hoping they are going to decide its not worth the time and effort to pursue him. As a business owner I understand but also know spending several man hours to locate a loss of that amount would not be cost effective. I would just make a note and if it happened again I would act or a better program as a whole to stop them all. My fingers are crossed and hopefully it will be dropped. Any one else had this issue?

Since the expertlaw crystal ball is out for recalibration we cannot say. Far as cost effective it does not require the store to put out much as if they got a plate number, Cc number or anything else thry turn it over to Police and they are done with it. Don't think a simple item does not cost a retailer either. For every item stolen they must sell about 20 more to make up lost from just that one. It adds up quick

So bottom line is if they got the plate number and decide to use it, it is just a matter of how busy the local police dept. is and the priority they place on it. To when he will be getting the knock on the door and he has 2 years to sweat it.

Pretty much yes

Well I am crossing my fingers they didn't pick it up and there for have no need to check the cameras that day or his plates were not visible. I am paying for all his help and he may end up in jail anyway... Thanks for all the help.

Jail is not likely even if caught. The worry (on his part) is a form of punishment itself. Tell him to obey al traffic laws etc. If his name has a warrant on it one Police contact is all it will take

So they won't be showing up at 2am in the morning for him? I guess petty theft is not that high on the police list for storming the doors. Maybe its time for him to start walking!

They could. There are several means they could use if store filed charges

. Letter
. Phone call
. visit to home
. Visit to work
. warrant wait for traffic stop or any Police contact

and of course nothing could happen as they did not get his info. I would advise he stay out of store though

Very Frustrating.... I wish there were a to find out if they did with out incriminating him. If he needs an attorney I'd get one but the $$ I am putting out now for his therapy is too much... We its all about the waiting game now..

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Quoting Supermarket_guilt

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Yes we are going to reimburse with his money the items were under $30.00 and I think were going to buy the replacements. Then anonymously return them back to the store.

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I am not sure how you return things anonymously , but the items wont be put back on the shelf for sale. They will be thrown away as the store could not be sure they were not tampered with.

I walked then in and put them back on the shelf, no one said anything. I think we are okay, the parking lot had no cameras that I could see. I really hope he can get past this stupid mistake and make something of himself.

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Quoting Supermarket_guilt

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I walked then in and put them back on the shelf, no one said anything. I think we are okay, the parking lot had no cameras that I could see. I really hope he can get past this stupid mistake and make something of himself.

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So you returned them and not your son and he was the one who stole the stuff? ???? Doesn't this sound a bit off to you?
I understand how you want to protect him and appreciate that you are getting help for him, but he's an adult, he was raised better than that and you are only helping to enable him. Why should he stop? Mommy will keep him out of trouble. There is no "we" in the we are okay. He still can face charges for shoplifting however slim that they are. Maybe that's what he needs so he understands the adult consequences for his actions.

It was not the best but he is now getting the help he really needs and will be going to a special camp/school that helps troubled big kids. He was raised in a rough home life and I feel to blame. This is my last try to make him right. I don't want him to end up in that endless rut of crime. He has paid his dues now its time to prove he can do it.

Just because items were returned does not remove the crime or the ability to presecute if they so choose