Shoplifting incident at Walmart

[seniorjudge]

What does that mean?

I'm confused...If the police get involved, does this mean that I'll get charged with something she did? (Shoplifting)

I feel sick....

That means a crime was committed (and you knew it); you drove the getaway car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessory_(legal_term)

[Twisted_Up]

Thank you Judge...

I feel sick about this; if I didn't panic things might be different, huh? I wish I had never let that girl in my car; I wish I had refused to leave. Heck, when I realized what she was doing, I stared directly at the door man, and took my sweet time even getting to the car, and then I sat in the car for a good while before drving out of the parking lot. I was terrified, and didn't want to be part of this! I was in a panic, and to top it off she was yelling at me to GO, GO! She even went so far as to put my car into gear!

Judge, what should I do?

I'm scared...

[seniorjudge]

Wait and see what Wal-Mart says or does.

If you get arrested, get a lawyer as soon as possible.

Also, I am assuming you are telling the truth, but this "taking the friend shopping and he/she shoplifted" is one of the oldest in the book.


Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable. Ask about drug court, if applicable.

From marbol:

“Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a ‘vibrate’ position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR IT VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings.”

(Better yet, don’t carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)”


Here are six stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter/wife/ex-wife/niece/grandma/grand-daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled/crazy and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job/military posting in [name a place five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this. (This conflicts with number 5 below, but that hasn’t stopped some defendants from using both.)

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.” Or, another variation: “I was forced into it by a bad guy!”)

6. I was influenced by a bad crowd.

http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthre...687#post854687

Public defender’s advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/.../70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

[Twisted_Up]

Thanks again, Judge...

Also, I am assuming you are telling the truth, but this "taking the friend shopping and he/she shoplifted" is one of the oldest in the book.

I thought as much...

Could I lose my disability benefits from this; is it likely? I simply can't work; I've tried several times since filing disability, and just can't handle it. My mental condition is quite fragile, which is why I'm having such a hard time with this whole ordeal.

I'll end up homeless if that happens....

[seniorjudge]

I am no expert on disability law, but I have never heard of losing your payments from the taxpayers for shoplifting.

[Twisted_Up]

I should be taking more responsibilty, shouldn't I?

As soon as I even attempt to justify myself by suggesting I didn't know what she was planning, they will just assume I am a liar as well./shrug

In the end, I knew she stole something, I drove the car, and like it or not, I was involved in a crime. I should simply own up to my part, and let the rest lay by the wayside.

No sense in playing the role of a victim here, is there? I should have known better!

Btw, I sincerely hope you're right about the benefits...I'd be lost without them!