Caught Shoplifting in Sears Yesterday, Police Involved

I live in MA and im a 20 yrs old female. To make a long story short, i spilled a little water on my shorts. Went into Sears, brought clothes in the dressing room, stole a pair of shorts, put the tags in the other clothes, put the clothes back, and went into another store to use their bathroom to change.

Walking in the mall, i got stopped by a guy who was holding up the tags (they prob only cost like 20 dollars). I didn't want to make a scene by running away, and i didnt know if there were any police in the mall either so i just said ok and went with him with no arguments.

I signed a couple papers, one being banned from Sears for a year and another to pay them $350, they told me it was a lawsuit from Sears. They called the police, the cop arrived, was actually pretty nice and told me he wasn't going to arrest me because my shorts were clearly damp (i told everyone what happened, but i also mentioned that i wasnt trying to justify it) and i have no record. He said i'll be getting a summons to court in the mail.

I don't know how long i have to pay Sears the $350, and are they taking me to court with a lawsuit? Should i call Sears and speak to the LP and ask when i have to pay the money or will i get a letter in the mail?

Also, my dad has a lawyer, should i bring him with me to court and is there any way this wont go on my record? The only thing is i can hardly afford the $350 nevermind a lawyer and i don't want my parents to find out (im staying with them at the moment).

The LP guy said they'll prob give me 6 months probation... but my girl friend got caught shoplifting, she had to pay the store and go to court but they dismissed it because she "acted sincere" and didn't have a record. I don't know what to do!

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Quoting Shadowdrifter

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First off, you need to accept that this is a serious crime, it's not a no-big-deal thing. I know you say that you're not trying to justify stealing because you got water (of all things, oh no!) on your shorts, but you are. You say "they're only $20" and you give off a tone of apathy. I say this only in part because your tone is obnoxious, but mainly because if you use this attitude in a court room, a judge is going to put you underneath the jail.

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I never said it wasn't a no-big-deal thing, and i don't have an obnoxious attitude about the situation at all. I mentioned the price of the merch that i stole because that obviously plays a role in what will happen (I'm pretty sure if i stole $500 worth of clothes, the outcome wouldn't be the same.)

I never said what i did wasn't stupid, and i told them about the water thing because they asked me why i stole the shorts, and that was why i stole the shorts.

I'm smart enough to know that if i go to court "pleading" with them, they'll think i'm a joke.

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Quoting Shadowdrifter

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Pity.

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I mentioned her situation because i'm trying to compare it to mine. If you're going to respond with cocky remarks then please don't waste your time responding again. Thanks.

When the civil demand letter arrives, pay it IMMEDIATELY, or make arrangements to.

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Quoting PandorasBox

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When the civil demand letter arrives, pay it IMMEDIATELY, or make arrangements to.

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I have absolutely no extra money to pay this, i got laid off a couple months ago and ive been looking for work with no avail (i have experience EVERYWHERE too). Do you think its possible to get a payment plan of some sort?

It depends on the store. When you receive the letter, it may include a phone number. Call and ask.

If police is involved, i suggest you to pay the civil charges whatever sears asks for..(dont step back in paying this amount, because it might cause different issues and can impact your career)...When you go the court..pls pls pls dont forget to take the lawyer with you..Now a days judge is giving a jail sentence even for shoplifting....make sure Lawyer handles your situation...(if you think your parents should not know about this then you have to regret..because if you get jail sentence in court then your life will be screwed up as it leaves a mark in your history as misdeamenor..so be honest and take help of the lawyer in this case)

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Quoting rbr16

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If police is involved, i suggest you to pay the civil charges whatever sears asks for..(dont step back in paying this amount, because it might cause different issues and can impact your career)...When you go the court..pls pls pls dont forget to take the lawyer with you..Now a days judge is giving a jail sentence even for shoplifting....make sure Lawyer handles your situation...(if you think your parents should not know about this then you have to regret..because if you get jail sentence in court then your life will be screwed up as it leaves a mark in your history as misdeamenor..so be honest and take help of the lawyer in this case)

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I could be put in jail even though they didn't arrest me there & because it was a $20 item & my first offense ever!? That seems a little outrageous.

I don't know what the law is for MA but yes that does seem too outrageous to be landed in jail. For CA- I know that if you did not steal more than $400 you wouldn't be put to jail.
I'm not too sure but you should try this website http://www.******************.org/
Yeah, its making another account for another website but its worth it. They helped me a lot- they respond fast too. More one on one with someone who might know.

I actually got caught yesterday for something too- and I posted my question up on that website and had a lot of responses.

The possibility for jail exists.

It is almost never used... but that does not negate the possibility.

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Quoting confusedgirl90

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I don't know what the law is for MA but yes that does seem too outrageous to be landed in jail. For CA- I know that if you did not steal more than $400 you wouldn't be put to jail.
I'm not too sure but you should try this website http://www.******************.org/
Yeah, its making another account for another website but its worth it. They helped me a lot- they respond fast too. More one on one with someone who might know.

I actually got caught yesterday for something too- and I posted my question up on that website and had a lot of responses.

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Thanks! =) I'm going to try posting there & see what comes up

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Quoting greyskies113

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I could be put in jail even though they didn't arrest me there & because it was a $20 item & my first offense ever!? That seems a little outrageous.

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You should have stayed with your wet shorts ~ OH WAIT...NO...that would have been outrageous:rolleyes: