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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    3

    Exclamation Is There a Statute of Limitations for Shoplifting Charges in California

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: California- Although i have never been formally charged, or even spoken with the police on this matter at all, there is a warrant for my arrest for shoplifting from Best Buy- Target- and Walmart. The police have spoken with my mother numerous times as they stopped by her house looking for me-and she has always told them she knows nothing about anything like that, and she has not seen me, and does not know where i am. To the best of my knowledge, they have pics of me in the stores, and in the parking lots, and they have empty packages found in various places inside the stores.( Surely they must have more evidence than that, or they would not have a warrant for my arrest.) The shoplifted products were high priced items (Garmin GPS- Hard Drives- Computer Programs- Cell Phones-Handheld Mobile TV's- MP3 Players- Cameras- Camcorders- etc- So i'm thinking it will be Felony Charges. So, being as i am already on the run, until i find the guts to turn myself in, i was wondering if there is a Statute of Limitations on cases like this, and if so, how long until its safe to stop running?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    38,867

    Default Re: Is There a Statute of Limitations for Shoplifting Charges in California

    i was wondering if there is a Statute of Limitations on cases like this, and if so, how long until its safe to stop running?
    any crime there is already a warrant issued for, the statute of limitations is tolled. That means, as long as they keep the warrants active, they can prosecute you until the day you die, regardless of how long you live.

    and why would they need more evidence than they have? Sounds like plenty of evidence to convict you.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    3

    Default Re: Is There a Statute of Limitations for Shoplifting Charges in California

    Well heck.... I guess i better just find my guts and get with the program... I made my bed.... So any insight as to what i should expect? I'm thinking prison time. Even though the only other thing i have been in trouble for (convicted of ) was 1 time being under the influence of meth, which i served 2 mos in County Jail for, and later, 2 seperate cases in another county for possessing drug paraphernalia (meth pipes) I was sentenced to pay fines for (and have not paid)- The priors for meth alone just screams prison these days!! A girl i know, not only went to prison for nothing more than USING METH, and then violating her probation, still using. - But she was sent back to prison on "violations" 8 different times!! Violations ranging from dirty tests - to being in a room with someone elses guns, while she was visiting this person AT THEIR HOME!!!! I really did it this time.. Oh well, on the brighter side- with the time, i will get clean- finally- after 7 years of being stuck in the same place going nowhere - as fast as i could go.... Its time. Thank you for your help with my question... Sincerely....

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Is There a Statute of Limitations for Shoplifting Charges in California

    without knowing the exact, and all of the charges, I couldn't even tell you what is possible. What happens in sentencing is up to the judge so reading what is possible is rarely accurate.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    105

    Default Re: Is There a Statute of Limitations for Shoplifting Charges in California

    Rigarin -

    I am an attorney licensed in California. Do not take this as creating an attorney-client relationship. Here is my opinion.

    Generally, under Penal Code Section 801.5, prosecution for felony theft charges has to be commenced within four years after you commit the crime or after the crime is discovered to have been committed.

    If there really is a warrant out for you, that implies that a criminal complaint has already been filed. If a complaint was filed within 4 years of the date of the crime or crimes, or within 4 years of discovery, that means that the statute of limitations does not matter.

    However, you may be using the terms in a sloppy way. A "warrant" has special legal significance. Many people, speaking loosely, use "warrant" when it may just be that the police are investigating someone. Probably, there has been a warrant, but you need to be sure. You absolutely must consult a lawyer in your local area who can find out if criminal charges actually have been filed or if you are simply under investigation. This makes all the difference in the world for statute of limitations purposes.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    3

    Default Re: Is There a Statute of Limitations for Shoplifting Charges in California

    I am definitely ashamed of myself for what i have done, shoplifting is a very bad offense, socially. However, i know full well, the full extent of this Meth Epidemic- (and it truly is an epidemic) Meth does not discriminate, it has reached every generation, and every walk of life-Young people- Old people- Rich and Poor- Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents- Doctors- Teachers- Lawyers- even Drug Counselors, who counsel others for their use- Only to go home and hit their own pilo's full of dope (I personally know and deal with 2 drug counselors, paid by the county to counsel "drug addicts"- who secretly hit the pilo- on break in the bathroom, at lunch, after work - weekends- whenever they find an opportunity- they are using meth) It holds you strong, and takes you fast- It will eventually take everything from you- It makes good people do bad things - every single day- So although it was wrong for me to steal from these stores, to pay for my drug habit- I can proudly say that i did not steal from my friends,family, coworkers, neighbors, or any person inparticular- the only person i really hurt was me- and at least i never resorted to prostitution.... So, as crazy as it does sound, i will be proud to pay my dues for shoplifting... And i leave you with a quote of lyrics from one of my favorite bands- ....." Tired of lying in the sunshine, staying home to watch the rain. While you are young, and life is long, and there is time to kill today... And then one day you find, 10 years have got behind you, noone told you when to run, you missed the starting gun......." Pink Floyd

  7. #7

    Default Re: Is There a Statute of Limitations for Shoplifting Charges in California

    Really? The only one you hurt is yourself? Here's a little quote from me - Our inner voice, developed early in life, is the minds loud speaker - our moral and ethical subconscious. The inner voice is always right - it’s when we try to justify and rationalize that we make poor ethical decisions.

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