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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    1

    Default Can You Pay a Fine to Avoid Going to Court for Shoplifting

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: California.

    I was caught shoplifting from a Kohl's in CA, for what the security people said was $417 (I don't think this is correct - but I wasn't going to argue and be difficult at that time).
    Police took me to the station, mugshot etc. etc., and released me with a misdemeanor violation (490.5 PC Shoplifting is what the ticket/citation says).
    This is my first offense, and I have absolutely nothing else on my record - completely clean.

    Questions:
    I leave the country in a week; the officer tried to work a court date that best worked for me, but I wasn't completely upfront - I am leaving on a temporary visa, but I will be switching that to a student visa and will be in that country for ~4 years. The officer mentioned that I can ask for an extension on the date by contacting the court.
    Question is - how do I do this if I'm leaving the country and don't intend to be back (not even for a visit) for several years? The officer made it seem like I would just be paying a fine, as he mentioned I may be able to let the court know my circumstance and might be able to do it online. He even said if I miss the court date, they won't try to extradite me, and it will just be an arrest warrant - and when I'm back, to just go straight to the court and deal with it (Obviously this is not my intent or my plan, just something the officer said).

    On the back of my citation is the statement under "If you do NOT contest the violation: Pay the bail amount. Contact the court for bail information. You will not have to appear in court. You will be convicted of the violation, and it will appear on your record at the DMV..." Is this only for traffic violations? Or would I have the option to pay whatever the fine is, and that's that?

    If it helps, I was extremely cooperative, and polite. Apologized to the security on the way out of the store, and plan to write a formal letter of apology, unless this will hurt me in some way.
    I can't really afford to hire an attorney, since all of my money is going to this move - but is this a case where I need one, since I think I read they can appear without me, at least for arraignment?

    Any advice? If you were in my shoes, in lieu of hiring an attorney, what would you do? And the question I'm sure everyone is sick of answering, is there anything I can expect?

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: First Offense Shoplifting - Leaving the Country, Need Advise

    Simple, you either appear, have a warrant issued for failure to appear or plead guilty and pay the fine. There is no, I am worried I won't be able to come back to the US because shoplifting is so easy here option.

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