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  1. #1
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    Oct 2013
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    Default Caught Committing Retail Theft in Illinois

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois

    What to do about Ordinance Violation Retail Theft in Illinois?

    This incident occurred in Illinois in a grocery store. I took $12 of merchandise, I know it was a stupid mistake, and got apprehended by the store security. The cops were called and I gave my personal information to security (name, phone number, address), but not my SSN. I didn't sign any papers, but the cop gave me a non-traffic ordinance violation for retail theft. I've been told by many attorneys that this is just a small infraction and it wouldn't show up on background checks and that this small infraction shouldn't affect future jobs that I apply for and that I shouldn't worry. I didn't get fingerprinted or sent to the Police station for mugshots, but I did get a picture taken from the store for future use. I basically can't go into that grocery store for another year or else I'll be cited for trespassing.

    Well what happened was I pled "Not Guilty" at my first court hearing and am currently going to Pre-trial. I'm nervous since this is my first ever incident that has caused me so much stress and I'm worrying financially because I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to pay this ticket off, pay off my rent and pay for college books/tuition. It was an honest mistake and I regret doing it!

    I have a few questions regarding my incident:
    1) What can I expect from my Pre-trial? Will the District Attorney be someone who has no mercy over petty shoplifters and wants to make an example of them, or will s/he allow me to take a theft class and dismiss my case? (This is my first time EVER going into court, do notice).

    2) The grocery store notified me that I was going to receive a civil demand notice which I haven't gotten one yet. They told me the amount was going to equate to approximately $250. Should I pay this? I'm extremely poor and out of money since I'm working at a full-time job working 40 hour weeks paying off rent and my school loans and spending the rest of my spare time studying for classes as a full-time enrolled student.

    3) Will this show up on background checks and affect my employment options? I'm really looking into working in the medical field and becoming a Surgeon. My GPA is at a 3.85 and I'm in my third year of college. I've received four scholarships which totaled $10,000, but this only covers SOME of my tuition and I'm seriously in need of advice.

    If there are any Law experts or someone willing to help me out here, please do! Thank you.

  2. #2
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    Mar 2013
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    Default Re: Retail Theft Illinois

    Quote Quoting mtheos
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    1) What can I expect from my Pre-trial? Will the District Attorney be someone who has no mercy over petty shoplifters and wants to make an example of them,
    Considering the epidemic of stupid shoplifters that post on this site, it wouldn't surprise me if they throw the book at you.

    Quote Quoting mtheos
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    will s/he allow me to take a theft class and dismiss my case?
    Nobody's found an accurate way to predict the future yet.

    Quote Quoting mtheos
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    This is my first time EVER going into court, do notice.
    You sure it's not just the first time you've gotten caught?

    Quote Quoting mtheos
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    2) The grocery store notified me that I was going to receive a civil demand notice which I haven't gotten one yet. They told me the amount was going to equate to approximately $250. Should I pay this?
    Yes.

    If you hope for leniency on the criminal charge you'll need to make restitution.

    You don't have any bargaining power.

    If you don't pay, they can sue you and a judgment trashes your credit for many years.

    Quote Quoting mtheos
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    I'm extremely poor and out of money since I'm working at a full-time job working 40 hour weeks paying off rent and my school loans and spending the rest of my spare time studying for classes as a full-time enrolled student.
    Oh, boo hoo. You should have thought of that before you committed the crime.

    Quote Quoting mtheos
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    3) Will this show up on background checks and affect my employment options?
    Very likely.

    We've seen people post here about minor crimes from decades ago that have screwed up their lives.

    Quote Quoting mtheos
    View Post
    I'm really looking into working in the medical field and becoming a Surgeon. My GPA is at a 3.85 and I'm in my third year of college. I've received four scholarships which totaled $10,000, but this only covers SOME of my tuition and I'm seriously in need of advice.
    Then instead of just talking to lawyers, you need to hire one.

    You're being prosecuted for a crime. Time you understood how serious that is.

  3. #3
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    Oct 2013
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    Default Re: Retail Theft Illinois

    Thank you for responding to my post.

    I know you probably see me as an irritating thief that does nothing but waste all my time being a menace, but that's not true. I do admit that this wasn't my first time taking something from a store, this was my second time (yes, I'm being serious and all-out honest). I'm an active youth member at my church (Ironic, right?) which participates in helping around the local community and I'm currently Vice President for a Chemistry project that does a lot of research on hazardous effects on the body from toxic substances and remedies for these types of situations. We are testing on lab rats and are comparing the slight outcomes that could occur in humans. I also lead discussions in the campus main meeting rooms with Chemistry teachers and colleagues.

    You might think I'm a straight out bad person, but I'm not, honestly. I'm just pointing this out because some people on this forum are probably calling me an idiot that doesn't deserve to live.

    Anyways, thank you for your somewhat positive comment. I appreciate the feedback.

  4. #4
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    OH10
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    Default Re: Retail Theft Illinois

    All I am doing is repeating the foolish arguments you present in an attempt to massage your own ego, to justify your actions. If you can't handle something such as a simple exchange, you won't make the first year of med school. Don't forget to let everyone know at church on Sunday also, hypocrite.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
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    Default Re: Retail Theft Illinois

    To justify my actions? Oh boy. And, talking about my first year of med school... I already have 16 credits passed that is part of my requirements to graduate from med school and I'm acing tests from left to right; one B to be exact, but yes, acing tests from left to right. I'll give it to you, pre-med isn't one of the easiest field to go into, but once you get into it, you have to stick to it. Please, take your barking elsewhere.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Retail Theft Illinois

    Quote Quoting mtheos
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    To justify my actions? Oh boy. And, talking about my first year of med school... I already have 16 credits passed that is part of my requirements to graduate from med school and I'm acing tests from left to right; one B to be exact, but yes, acing tests from left to right. I'll give it to you, pre-med isn't one of the easiest field to go into, but once you get into it, you have to stick to it. Please, take your barking elsewhere.

    Excuse me? No honey, that's not how this forum works.

    YOU can feel free to pay an attorney to tell you what you want to hear. You DO realize that you're on a forum of volunteers, right?

    In other words, we owe you absolutely nothing.

  7. #7
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    Oct 2013
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    Default Re: Retail Theft Illinois

    In addition, I literally did just tell everyone at my church and our Pastor, who initiated another baptism on me. I admit the truth that what I have done was wrong and frowned upon and actually had the guts to tell my whole church about it. It didn't take anyone to ask me questions to confess about it. I openly went up onto the podium and told everyone what I had done, and in return, I was forgiven. Is that enough for you?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Quoting Dogmatique
    View Post
    Excuse me? No honey, that's not how this forum works.

    YOU can feel free to pay an attorney to tell you what you want to hear. You DO realize that you're on a forum of volunteers, right?

    In other words, we owe you absolutely nothing.
    You are so right! As of now, I'm officially done and will respectfully resign from this forum.
    Please, if you're tempted, feel free to deactivate my forum account.

    Truly yours,
    The forum thread starter

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Retail Theft Illinois

    You could of course get a job and pay your bills. Apparently that seems a bit beneath you.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Retail Theft Illinois

    If you are not smart enough to consider that you cannot afford to attend school and use that to justify being a thief, hopefully God saves patients from you.

  10. #10
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    Oct 2013
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    Default Re: Retail Theft Illinois

    Quote Quoting Disagreeable
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    If you are not smart enough to consider that you cannot afford to attend school and use that to justify being a thief, hopefully God saves patients from you.
    Why, thank you kind sir! And in return for your kind and non-sarcastic words (counter sarcasm *wink *wink) I hope that God keeps people like you alive because we obviously need more people like you in the world.

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