First Offense Shoplifting in Ohio

[hopefullfox]

STORY:

I am 22 years old,

Earlier today, I stole 25 dollars’ worth of Merchandise from a Columbus Ohio Wal-Mart.

Security caught me and took me too their office.

After giving back the items, i asked if I could just pay for the stuff I stole, they refused. They told me it was too late and I will be charged for the damages.

But I still insisted that id pay for the items and the damages but they still refused.

They gave me an Asset Protection Recovery paper about how Wal-Mart will recover the damages which have been suffered. They told me I will receive a letter with more information on this matter and receive a court date where the issue will be resolved in the franklin county court.

They took my ID and told me to wait for the police. The police officer did not come and they said I am free to go. I continue to plea with the security officers that my actions were an act of desperation, stupidity and fear.

I returned to them 30 min later pleading to let me go with a warning and that I would pay for the damages and the items I took, but they still refused.

I have read other threads, but I would like some others input, I did something VERY STUPID and will pay dearly for it.

I will not do this again, and I am hoping for the best

I have read that it would be 6 months in jail and a fine of 1000 on top of paying the civil demand I will be receiving in the mail

QUESTION

What are the possible scenarios that could come out of this?

Will I actually have to go to court even though a police officer was not there to arrest me? jail time? having a misdemeanor on my permanent record?

(forgive, dona (poster) below me for using your title, it is similar to mine)

[PandorasBox]

Do not go back to the store. You are only adding extra evidence. And risking being arrested for Criminal Trespass.

A paper given to you by WalMart may have been a Trespass warning.

Yes, you will likely go to court. Expect to receive a summons in the mail. If you cannot afford a lawyer, plead "not guilty" and ask for a Public Defender.

You will also be receiving in the mail a letter from Walmart or their lawyers. This is the damages they mentioned, and is called a Civil Demand notice. This is separate from the criminal charges. You need to pay this asap, or make arrangements for a payment plan.

And yes, you will have a Misdemeanor on your record.

[hopefullfox]

what if i plea 'guilty" what will happen

is their a possiblity that i will go to jail?

I read that public defenders are not actually free in another thread and I will have to post income stubs (everything) to show I can not afford it, is that true? The reason is that I do not want
my dad to find out about this and the product I took

will this affect my chances in getting into nursing school?

do you know by chance the total amount i will be charged for? (an estimate will be fine)

Is there any way to avoid the misdemeanor on my record?

[PandorasBox]

You shoplifted. Even if you get a reduced charge, you will have a CRIMINAL record with a misdemeanor on it.

Public Defenders are not free. It varies by area, in mine it was $250

Yes this can affect your chances at nursing school...and at jobs. Nurses are around patients, their belongings, their medications. Lots of potential for theft there. Even if you do get into nursing school, that criminal record may hinder your finding a job.

You likely won't see jail. Just fines. Possibly community service, probation, or an anti-shoplifting class (or combination).

If you live with Dad, best confess to him now.

If you plea guilty....you get the harshest sentence. If you plead Not guilty and ask for a P.D., you may qualify for a First Time Offenders program or Diversion Program. Complete it, your record might be sealed.

[hopefullfox]

Can you clarify on what you mean by "your record might be sealed"

Does that mean that IF the record is sealed (big if), the school can not see it?

The reason I can not tell my dad is the item I unfortunately took (stupid move) will actually get me into further trouble. I know this is going off on a tangent but, if he finds out I shoplifted, will he
be able to figure out what I took?

I am very grateful you are taking your time in answering my questions.

[PandorasBox]

Having your record sealed would mean employers, schools, etc would not be able to see it.

If dad finds out, he won't know what you took.

[hopefullfox]

UPDATE

On Oct 24, 2011

I received a letter "Civil Demand notice" and had to pay 200.00 and I did

Unfortunately, Wal-Mart has decided to press charges for theft (MISDEMEANOR)

[hopefullfox]

Question:

I have received letters in the mail from lawyers that have seen my case and are trying to get my business. Should I contact them or should I just go to the arraignment, plead not guilty, then ask for a lawyer?

[Disagreeable]

Likely, you will need to hire a lawyer if you want representation.