Caught Shoplifting in Sears, First Offense

[sunlitgarden]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania.

I'm 20, and today I stole one pairing of earrings out of a set of three, total cost of $15. Does the fact that I only took one pair make any difference? I didn't steal the whole set, and I doubt it's considered any less serious, but I'm just wondering. They were also on sale for $9-something, I remember looking. Again, doubt that helps me at all, but I figured it's kind of an odd situation and I wanted to make note of it.

Anyway, I put them in my pocket, shopped around for a while, but was stopped on my way out. I was very cooperative with the LP, gave back the earrings, and was taken to an office where he took my ID, copied down my information, told me I'd receive a fine in the mail, and let me go. He didn't tell me much else at all, so I have a few questions.

- Any idea how much this fine is going to be? Like I said, this is my first offense, and what I took was a very small amount of money.

- Is the fact that this happened announced to every other store in the area? I was hoping to apply at the Sam's Club up the hill from the Sears. The LP didn't tell me my information was being put on any type of database for other retailers to check up on. I'm not exactly sure how all of that works anyway.

- The LP also didn't say anything about me not being permitted back in the store, but I hear that's usually the case. Am I allowed in then, if he didn't say I wasn't?

- I've been using Sears Optical as my go-to optical exams. I actually need to pick up some contacts I recently ordered, and I want to know if they'll know what I did, and will they let me continue on as their customer.

- Will this hinder me from getting into any schools? I'm looking to attend an art college next year.


Thanks.

[PandorasBox]

It doesn't matter that you only stole 1 pair of a 3 pack. It is counted as the entire retail value (not sale price or clearance price) of the 3 pack. After all, you made it so the store would not be able to sell it as a 3 pack.

You will get a Civil Demand notice in the mail. This tends to run $200+.

Your job options....well...there is this thing called the National Retail Theft Database. If Sears subscribes to it, your name will have been entered into it. And will remain in it for 7 years.

You most likely signed a form in the backroom stating you are banned from the store. If you don't recall doing so, I'd play it safe and stay out of Sears and anything with SEARS attached to it. Even a free-standing optical center, while being independently owned, is still operated under Sears. Best to have someone else pick up your optical supplies, and best to find a new optician.