Shoplifting in Indiana

My question involves criminal law for the state of: indiana i was caught shoplifting at marsh in indiana yesterday 10.00 dollars was the amount. no police were called security said i could resolve it in a civil penalty. my girlfriend was with me and they said she had to pay a civil amount to and she didnt even know what was going on or what i did. could you please tell me if i can resolve this in a civil payment and about how much it may be? also, will they ( MARSH ) pursue criminal charges also? this is very embarrsing and will never happen again. thank you for your time and any advice you can offer. worried in indiana.

Your girlfriend is considered an "accessory" to your crime.

BOTH of you should expect to receive letters containing a CIVIL DEMAND. Expect a minimum of $250....each. (If I were your girlfriend, I would expect you to pay mine as well, or you'd be my EX-boyfriend).

Pay those immediately.

If you don't:
- The amount goes up.
- The store can take you to court for the money PLUS their attorney fees.
- The store also has 1 year to file CRIMINAL CHARGES against both of you. Don't pay the Civil Demand, and you increase the chance the store will press charges.

how can my girlfriend be considered a accessory when she didnt even know what was going on, and why would the civil penalty be so high? i thought it was around three times the amount of the item taken? please respond.

Laws governing civil demands vary by state, but the penalties are usually very high. Even when the demand is a percentage of the item in question, there's usually a minimum. A $30 civil demand is out of the question.

If your girlfriend had no idea you were shoplifting, then she is NOT an accessory. If she's charged, she'll have to prove her innocence though, and that can be difficult to do unless you're willing to incriminate yourself to clear her. Ah, your freedom or your girlfriend. What a choice!

If she really didn't know, she can always refuse to pay the civil demand. Of course, then she might have to fight off a lawsuit which can be very expensive even if you win— maybe you'll cover her legal fees? Or maybe you'll just pay the demand for her!

Just keep in mind that if she signed something at the store admitting to guilt, then it'll be very difficult to prove she wasn't involved regardless of the facts, and with all the people who come here saying "I signed the paper they gave me but I didn't bother to read it," that sort of thing is hardly impossible.

she my gilrfriend didnt know what i had done. marsh is just trying to get extra moneys for someone who didnt know squat. ill pay my civil judgement but ill fight hers. its all a scam but i did wrong and ill never do it again. its so embarassing and i had the money to pay for it, imagine how stupied that is.

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Quoting drumm5095

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she my gilrfriend didnt know what i had done. marsh is just trying to get extra moneys for someone who didnt know squat. ill pay my civil judgement but ill fight hers. its all a scam but i did wrong and ill never do it again. its so embarassing and i had the money to pay for it, imagine how stupied that is.

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Think this out.

You are going to make the people with your criminal future in their hands angry with you?

Really?

By the way, it is NOT a scam. It is your penalty for stealing. The fact that you believe it to be too high is immaterial.

Your g/f is an accessory because:
(1) She was with you.
(2) Even if you "split up" for a while to shop - the prosecutor and judge have heard this soooo many times.

Remember that saying that you are judged by the company you keep?

Maybe CyJeff, Missy or someone can better advise you.

At this time, I would: (Bear in mind, I am not a lawyer)
- Write a statement saying g/f had no idea you were shoplifting. Make sure your statements are consistent with your movements ("I did it while (G/F) and I had split up for shopping. She had no idea I had stolen X item...".

- You and her sign that statement in front of a Notary Public. You both need be present at the same time. Notary's can be found usually at your bank. Mail it certified/return receipt requested to the store, their Corporate LP Department, and the court.

- The minute the Civil Demand notices come in....pay them. Hers as well. In full.

Guess what...you made a huge mistake. And your girlfriend gets part of the fall for it.

Pay her demand. Do you really want HER to have to pay for YOUR mistake? And if you want to fight it, pay it and THEN fight it. You're talking about the future of someone who didn't know their idiot boyfriend was going to shoplift $10 worth of merch. How would YOU feel if the situation was reversed?

your right ill pay for both of us but then will it be over? marsh said it would be. thanks for your input.

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Quoting drumm5095

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your right ill pay for both of us but then will it be over? marsh said it would be. thanks for your input.

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It might be, but we cannot predict the future.

The retailer has a year to call the police.

Good luck to you.

And I hope you have learned that shoplifting does not pay....