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Caught Shoplifting For The First Time

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  • 06-05-2008, 03:19 PM
    BiggLJ
    Caught Shoplifting For The First Time
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington

    I made a dumb mistake yesterday, trying to lift a $10 video game from Walmart. Once I got out an LP walked up to me saying "Give me my video game" then showed me his badge. I got a bit jumpy and tried to take the game out of my pocket and put some distance between us at the same time. He grabbed me, I tried to shake free but there was another LP behind me that I didn't know about who tackled me. They cuffed me and took me to their office. Called the cops but I didn't go to jail, they told me that they needed the cops there to take the cuffs off. I cooperated with everything they asked and the LP mentioned that to the cops.

    I'm 18, this is the first time this has happened (and the last time), and the LP said that I would get a 3rd degree theft charge. The other LP gave me a rundown of what would happen from here. I'd get a letter in the mail giving me a court date, I'd plead guilty there since they have me on tape, I'd get about a $70 fine, and the judge would probably allow me to take a shoplifting class to get this off my record.

    Basically I just want to know:
    1. What can I expect to happen here? Is what the LP told me pretty accurate? Any idea how much will this end up costing me (is it likely that I'll get fines from the court in addition to fines from Walmart)?
    2. Will I need a lawyer for this?

    I really just wanna get past this and get it off my record as quickly as possible, hopefully without having to pay a ton of cash (I'm just getting outta high school and don't exactly have tons of spending money).

    I'd appreciate any advice I can get. Obviously I made a stupid mistake and I just want to move on without too much of a headache.
  • 06-05-2008, 03:38 PM
    panther10758
    Re: Caught Shoplifting, 1st Time, Need Some Advice
    Quote:

    . What can I expect to happen here? Is what the LP told me pretty accurate? Any idea how much will this end up costing me (is it likely that I'll get fines from the court in addition to fines from Walmart)?
    Yes the fine from Walmart is a Civil issue your court fines are criminal
    Quote:

    2. Will I need a lawyer for this?
    Yes
    Quote:

    I really just wanna get past this and get it off my record as quickly as possible
    Records dont go away they last forever
  • 06-05-2008, 03:51 PM
    BiggLJ
    Re: Caught Shoplifting, 1st Time, Need Some Advice
    Thanks for the quick reply. I assumed I could get this charge off my record if I went through a shoplifting class because that's what one of the LP told me.

    I guess I'll get a public defender when I go to court, I really don't have the money to hire my own.

    Any idea what kind of criminal fines are usually imposed in this case?
  • 06-05-2008, 03:57 PM
    panther10758
    Re: Caught Shoplifting, 1st Time, Need Some Advice
    What it sound slike your talking about is Diversion. Talk to your Attorney about Diversion and if its available
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