Caught Shoplifting at Macy's
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Massachusetts
So about a month ago, i got caught shoplifting at macy's with 3 other friends. I stole a shirt worth about $27. The total that came up for all four of us was less than $150. We were taken back to the office where they got all our information down etc. and our pictures were taken. We were told we can never enter Macy's again forever. The police was not involved, they said they were not going to arrest us and left. The police did not take down our information, fingerprints or anything. We were told that we would have to pay a civil demand fee of $500 each. I recently got a letter in the mail saying i have to pay the civil demand fee in 20 days.
These are my following questions:
1. The police was not involved. We were not given any court date. Nor did we recieve a letter in the mail regarding the court date yet. Only the civil demand fee letter. Does that mean that if i pay my civil demand fee, I would not have to go to court? Since the police let us go the day of the incident.
2. If i do infact go to court, what are the chances that it will not go on my record. This was my first offense and i have a clean record. Is there a way i can do a diversion program, or community service etc and not have it go on my permanent record? what are my options?
3. Is there a way i could lower my civil demand fee? I have to pay $500 for my first offense for stealing a shirt worth $27.
I was thinking about writing an apology letter to them about how ashamed I am and explain my current economic situation due to which it will be really hard for me to pay $500... as i am a full-time college student and i have to pay for tuition and everything. And ask them if they can lower the civil demand fee since it is my first offense and all. What is the maximum they can charge for civil demand fee? isn't it $500?
Re: Caught Shoplifting at Macy's
1. Yes. If you're not charged, you don't go to criminal court. If you pay the civil demand, you resolve any claim that they might otherwise bring in civil court.
2. At this point it doesn't appear that you'll be charged, so as long as you've stopped shoplifting don't worry about it.
3. You are free to call and negotiate. Sometimes they'll lower the amount or agree to payments.
Re: Caught Shoplifting at Macy's
hey i was caught shoplifting in massachusetts macy's 2 days ago. it was a terrible mistake and i honestly regret it. the lp guy took me to a room and they asked for all of my information. i think the clothes didnt exceed $150. my mother had to pay a fine of $500 to the store. the lp guy told me that i wasnt going to jail when i asked if i was. then he said i would have to go to a juvenile court, i asked what would happen there and he said that a judge would basically ask me why i did this and to not do it again. i am not allowed to step into macys for 3 years unless im with my mother. im only 14 years old, will this be on my record? i do not want to go to court and i hear that macys only does this to scare off people for good.
Re: Caught Shoplifting at Macy's
Quote:
Quoting
itskhadigax3
hey i was caught shoplifting in massachusetts macy's 2 days ago. it was a terrible mistake and i honestly regret it. the lp guy took me to a room and they asked for all of my information. i think the clothes didnt exceed $150. my mother had to pay a fine of $500 to the store. the lp guy told me that i wasnt going to jail when i asked if i was. then he said i would have to go to a juvenile court, i asked what would happen there and he said that a judge would basically ask me why i did this and to not do it again. i am not allowed to step into macys for 3 years unless im with my mother. im only 14 years old, will this be on my record? i do not want to go to court and i hear that macys only does this to scare off people for good.
First, start your own thread next time,
Second, if you're going to Juvenile Court the police were involved..yes? What did they tell you?
Third, as a minor you may be eligible to have your record sealed when you turn 18...or maybe expunged.
Fourth, you were given a court date by a police officer right? So it doesn't matter what Macy's intentions are, you have to appear. Hopefully this will scare you enough to stop stealing stuff that doesn't belong to you.