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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
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    4

    Question Going to Court for a Shoplifting Charge

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Georgia, gwinnett county.


    hello, i am 22 years old, about 9 weeks ago i was at walmart. i walked in and picked up 2 games. $60 each. i opened the games up and i was going to take the activation codes out from inside them but i got scared and decided not to go through with it, so i set the items down on a shelf somewhere, went and purchased a couple items and proceeded to leave the store. i was stopped at the door by the LP people where they took me to a room. the LP guy sat down and watched what i did on the camera with me. after about 30 minutes the police arrived. i was then arrested and charged with shoplifting. my bond was my signature so i did not have to pay anything. 3 weeks after the incident i received a letter from walmart stating that they wanted me to pay them $460... like an idiot i did :/. i just received a letter telling me i have court on august 2nd. i am pretty scared as i have no clue what to do. seeing as i didn't actually try and walk out of the store with anything i want to plead not guilty but i also don't wanna make it any harder for myself. i have no prior record. and i am wondering what the Consequences are going to be. A fine is ok, i just really don't want any jailtime and i don't want this to stay on my record. any advice would be great... thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Going to Court for a Shoplifting Charge

    When you opened the packages, you:
    (a) showed your intent to steal them.
    (b) Made them unsaleable.

    Get a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, plead Not Guilty and ask for a Public Defender. Bring proof you have paid the Civil Demand with you. You can expect court costs and fines, and a record. You want a lawyer or PD to get that charge reduced.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    East Coast
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    99

    Default Re: Going to Court for a Shoplifting Charge

    Having purchased "new" games, in the past, and finding myself unable to play online because someone had stolen the activation codes: I find myself gleeful in your prosecution! Do you have *any* idea how much of a pain in the a** it is to go through the process of explaining to a store how you can't use the product you just legally purchased because of exactly what YOU did? Sorry pal...get a good lawyer! But I am hopeful you will get the maximum punishment....Good luck with it.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
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    4

    Default Re: Going to Court for a Shoplifting Charge

    Quote Quoting Trailboss
    View Post
    Having purchased "new" games, in the past, and finding myself unable to play online because someone had stolen the activation codes: I find myself gleeful in your prosecution! Do you have *any* idea how much of a pain in the a** it is to go through the process of explaining to a store how you can't use the product you just legally purchased because of exactly what YOU did? Sorry pal...get a good lawyer! But I am hopeful you will get the maximum punishment....Good luck with it.
    did you even read my post? i said i didnt even go through with it. i opened them up yes, but i set them down... didn't take anything. and i seriously doubt i will get 12 months i jail and a 1,000 fine for a 1st offense/first offender/ misdemeanor.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Going to Court for a Shoplifting Charge

    The post was read.

    Would you buy a game that was clearly opened? Likely not. Since you opened the game, you made it so the store can't sell it.

    You went through it when you opened the boxes. You had the intent to take the activation codes.

    You had no intention to steal....tell that to the prosecutor and judge and see how much they laugh before slapping you with the harshest sentence they can. Trust me, it will cost you a couple of thousand dollars....yea, $120 would have been cheaper.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Going to Court for a Shoplifting Charge

    Quote Quoting PandorasBox
    View Post
    The post was read.

    Would you buy a game that was clearly opened? Likely not. Since you opened the game, you made it so the store can't sell it.

    You went through it when you opened the boxes. You had the intent to take the activation codes.

    You had no intention to steal....tell that to the prosecutor and judge and see how much they laugh before slapping you with the harshest sentence they can. Trust me, it will cost you a couple of thousand dollars....yea, $120 would have been cheaper.
    i know what my intent was. i never said i wasn't trying to steal. i even told the walmart people exactly what i posted here. i was going to take the codes but i got scared and didnt go through with it. where did you get i said i had no intention to steal? i'm already $500 in just for walmart.... then i gotta pay court cost + a fine. i came on here for advice... not to be criticized and judged.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Going to Court for a Shoplifting Charge

    just wanted to update you guys. i went to court today, i didn't even have to enter a plea, they immediately offered me the diversion program. 40 hours of community service, $600 fine, 3 months probation and a shoplifting class. and i am eligible for expungement. i complete all this within 90 days and i'm back to normal

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