Shoplifting at Wal-Mart

I just finished going to court last week, so I will let you know everything I had to do. (keep in mind that everything varies in each state/county/court)

First time I went to court: When they called my name I asked for a court appointed lawyer (this is what the court I went to said to say if you wanted one). They assigned me one and was given another court date.
....I talked to my lawyer...
Second time I went to court: My charges were misdemeanor larceny and possess stolen goods/property. My lawyer got my charges reduced to shoplifting. My punishment was: 15 days in jail with 24 months suspended, not to go back to walmart during this suspension, $50 fine, court costs, and 24 hours community service that I have to finish in 30 days...I also had my lawyer ask the judge if I could have time to pay (but i HAD to pay my court costs and fees that day) and he granted it, and they divided up into 2 parts (one part court costs and fine, second part everything else, which is what I need time to pay for) and I have 30 days to pay.
doesn't seem too bad...but here are the costs:

Court fee: $125
Fine: $50
Attorney fee: $97.50
Attorney application fee: $20
Community service fee: $225
Application fee (for time to pay): $20

Now all of this would be more if I didn't have a lawyer.

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Quoting precious31509

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My punishment was: 15 days in jail with 24 months suspended, not to go back to walmart during this suspension

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The judge may tell you that you have a limited period you are unable to enter the store but most retailers bar you for life, so you can still be charged with trespass if you go back after the judge says you are allowed.

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Quoting Khaman

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The judge may tell you that you have a limited period you are unable to enter the store but most retailers bar you for life, so you can still be charged with trespass if you go back after the judge says you are allowed.

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Yes I know, I was just stating exactly what the judge told me

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Quoting precious31509

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Yes I know, I was just stating exactly what the judge told me

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I have just heard this excuse from several people thinking that the judge's word trumps a written ban.

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Quoting Khaman

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I have just heard this excuse from several people thinking that the judge's word trumps a written ban.

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I know what you mean..I'm not stupid enough to go back lol..even 50 years from now I wouldn't want to go back

It's it normal for people to go to jail for this sort of thing?

It depends on the state laws. In my store all shoplifters excluding minors are arrested and taken to jail. There is a bill floating around in KY to cut down on the jail population that allows us to arrest them on paper. They are let go and told to show up at the court date and if needed they get mug shots and fingerprinted later.