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Shoplifting and Diversion Programs

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  • 03-16-2005, 06:59 PM
    bethey2024
    Shoplifting and Diversion Programs
    In December, I was charged with Retail Theft. I plead guilty to the charge and the judge sentenced me to attend a Diversion program and community service. I do not have the money to get it expunged. I am 18 and next year I am going to college. I know what I did was wrong and I am paying for it. After college, I am very scared that I will not get a good job because of what I did. I just need some advice on the whole mess and would like to know what my possible employment options might be because of what I did. I plan to major in Bio Chemistry and would like to know if I am basically screwed now. Please help.
  • 03-17-2005, 08:56 AM
    aaron
    Diversion Program
    In a typical diversion program, if you successfully complete the program and probation the conviction is not entered. That is to say, there would be an arrest record, perhaps a record of a guilty plea, but technically no conviction. You should double check whether you have, in fact, been convicted of an offense before you fret about having to report a conviction to potential employers.

    There are some occupations where full disclosure is the order of the day, even if your conviction was not entered (and even if you have obtained an expungement of the arrest records). For example, if you are asked about your encounters with the criminal justice system in association with a job which requires a government security clearance, you would be well-advised to tell the whole painful truth.

    Recall that our current President has a drunk driving conviction and a conviction for disorderly conduct (or some analogous offense). Our Vice President has two drunk driving convictions. Assuming you have "turned your life around", most jobs will remain open to you even with a retail fraud / shoplifting conviction at the age of 18.
  • 04-05-2005, 04:25 PM
    Elitrugil
    Diversion Programs and a plea of not guilty
    this is confusing.

    I wasn't eligible for a PD because I own real property, but she did tell me (I too was caught shoplifting; I returned the shirt that night in the worst storm).....

    she told me to make an appointment with an expeditor and askk for a diversion offer - since I have no prior criminal activity (I'm 54) chances are they will approve that.

    I'm supposed to bring that to court in 2 weeks and give it to the judge, waive the court trial for 45 days, and please "not guilty". Even tho I admitted to the police that I did this - then once the conditions of the diversion program are met, the only thing that remains is "not guilty".

    This is what I was advised.
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