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  1. #1

    Default How to Get Out of a Shoplifting Fine

    I am in a situation that I'd never thought I'd be put in. I was fined for shoplifting, and I wasn't the person shoplifting the item. I was wondering if there was anyway I could get out of the fine, legally.

    My Story:

    I am 18 y/o , and I was staying with a friend. We went to Martain's Grocery Store to look around, we saw something that we wanted to eat ( a breakfast bowel, and some apple juice ) so my friend stole it. We left the store without getting stopped or caught. Went on about our day. However, my friend thought she could get away with it now. So we went back a second time. She stole two lunchable ( stupid thing to steal I know. ) , but she put them in her bag. We went to walk out the doors, but we were met outside of the store by two undercover workers. They stopped us and told us that we had to follow them about the stolen items in her bag. So we complied and followed them back to the room. She handed them the two lunchables and they took down our information. They had caught us because they had a picture of us with the items from the first time, and saw us leaving without stopping at the register. (they didnt have photos of her actually stuffing her bag the first time) However I got 2 letters in the mail. Two separate fines, I'm guessing one from the morning trip, and the other from the second trip. However neither of the times did I physically take anything, nor was any merchandise found on me.

    My Question:
    Q#1: Is there any way I can get out of the fines since I hadn't physically stolen any merchandise myself?

    Q#2: Is there anyway my friend could get out of the first fine since we were not caught the first time, and there is no proof that we left the store with the merchandise?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Can I Get Out of This Fine

    How many thousand dollars are you willing to pay an attorney to try?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Can I Get Out of This Fine

    Two answers:

    No.
    No.

    Both of you shoplifted. Both of you can be expecting criminal charges, and Civil Demands. Both of you will benefit in getting Criminal Defense Attorneys.

    It's like this...

    You were with your friend both times she shoplifted. Basically, like the getaway driver in a bank robbery, you were involved both times.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Can I Get Out of This Fine

    I didn't physically steal anything though. On either one of the trips, I didn't even help her in putting the items in her bag. What if she even said I didn't help her in the actions of stealing can I still get introuble?

    Could we atleast get out of the first one if we say we put the items back, theres no proof that she didn't ? Because she didn't get caught the first time, all they had was a picture of her with the items in her hands.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Can I Get Out of This Fine

    Quote Quoting ImWithStupid
    View Post
    I didn't physically steal anything though. On either one of the trips, I didn't even help her in putting the items in her bag. What if she even said I didn't help her in the actions of stealing can I still get introuble?

    Could we atleast get out of the first one if we say we put the items back, theres no proof that she didn't ? Because she didn't get caught the first time, all they had was a picture of her with the items in her hands.
    Are you suggesting that you want to turn a misdemeanor theft into a felony perjury by lying in a court of law?

    I recommend against it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Toledo Ohio
    Posts
    166

    Default Re: Can I Get Out of This Fine

    Your were a willing partner and accessory to the crime. You knew she was shoplifting and even went back with her to do it again.

    Some dumb things we do end up being quite expensive and shoplifting is one of them.

    I take it you don't realize stores have cameras. I have a feeling a court summons may be on the horizon.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Can I Get Out of This Fine

    You should look up the Casey Anthony Target photos to see how much those cameras can and do catch.

    You may have been shown a picture of her with the first item in her hand....but trust me, that is a single still photo printed from an entire video of the incident, start to finish.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Can I Get Out of This Fine

    By the way....want to know what will happen if you do not pay the fines (Civil Demands)?

    You will be given additional letters. If you continue to ignore them, then the stores lawyers will take you to Civil Court. They will win a judgment. It will show up a a negative on your credit rating.

    What does that mean? It means good luck buying or leasing a car. It means good luck getting your first credit card. It means good luck getting your first apartment.....because your CREDIT RATING is checked for all of these. And a bad credit history means you will have a very hard time getting either of these approved. Or you may get it approved, but pay higher payments/downpayments.

    Potential employers may check your credit rating and decide not to hire you. You will be very lucky to have a McJob flipping burgers (thieves do not work the registers).

    Oh...and the store does have 1-2 years (varies by state) to press criminal charges. If you don't pay, they may be mean and file criminal charges.....

    PS: Here is a link to the Casey Anthony video I mentioned. Now you can see how much detail these cameras can catch.

    http://www.wesh.com/video/17660762/detail.html

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