Caught Shoplifting at Target in Virginia

[Stewartemily]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: va

prince william county to be more specific. through research ive found that pwc is the hardest on shoplifting charges.

about a month ago i was caught stealing 47$ worth of merchandise from a va target. two of the items were cosmetics and the other was a bathing suit top. i had checked out and bought a bathing suit top and bottom and as i was leaving the store an undercover security guard and a uniform security guard stopped me and said they needed the merchandise back and escorted me back into the store and to the security office.

i was extremely cooperative the entire time and apologized so much (as if that would help). they totaled up the items and because it was over 20$ they had to involve the police. i asked to pay it off and they said no. so as we waited for the cop they asked me questions like "have you ever stolen before" "why did you do it" "was you intent to sell". they did ask where i worked and me thinking it was just friendly conversation, told them. Thank god they didnt call my job.

the cop shows up gets my info and tells me that i am essentially being arrested and given a summons so i wasnt actually taken to the station. i asked them things like will this stay on my record or could i just pay a fine and they said it depends on the judge and prosecutor but they would let them know that i was very cooperative and that may help a little bit.

the most trouble ive ever been in was a reckless driving ticket that was reduced to a speeding ticket about a year ago. my job is extremely important to me and if i get convicted in court tomorrow i will likely lose it. my plan is to get a court appointed lawyer, although im scared theyll still eat me alive. i took a NASP online class which im praying will help me get it dismissed. if not i was going to ask about a diversion program for first time offenders. i heard pwc doesnt often issue those and will give about two days jail sentence even for first timers. i need a lot of advice, please help!!! the first court date is tomorrow and im terrified. im 19 and have so much to lose at this point.

[Ohiogal]

Ask for a public defender. Also ask your attorney about diversion. You should be terrified. YOU are a THIEF. That can effect your future immensely. What do you want to be when you grow up?

[Stewartemily]

I'm already in the career field I want to be in. I'm a makeup artist for MAC. If I lose this job I will have nothing left, I haven't gone to college and I have no other passion in life. Even if I did, I won't be able to find another job. I am already extremely ashamed. I just want it to effect my life as little as possible. It's put a huge strain on my home life in just a short time. If I go to jail I will lose it all

[Ohiogal]

So you work at a retail establishment and you stole from another establishment? You work with makeup and were caught stealing makeup. You could be fired due to this. You can lose your job anyway.

[flyingron]

OK, here's how it goes, at least up in the Fairfax GDC which ought to not be too different from PWC.

You will have an appearance in General District Court. Essentially you'll be scheduled in a session with probably a dozen or more of your fellow thieves. The judge will early on refer those who likely qualify to meet with the members of the retail diversion program. You'll meet with that person to confirm you do qualify and if you do your case will be continued pending your completion of that program. This is an enormous second chance for you. DO NOT SCREW THIS UP. Do not make excuses. There are no excuses for not doing this right.

If for some reason you're not eligible for the program, you will then be tried. I would recommend an attorney. If you are indigent and can't afford one, ask for a public defender. Again you'll be sent to determine if you qualify. If you do, your case will be continued again until you can meet with the attorney. If you don't qualify, I'd recommend private counsel. Ask the judge for a continuance to obtain such and it will be granted, but it would behoove you on your return date to actually have counsel.

Regardless of your criminal proceeding, you can expect two thigns:

1. A letter from Target's "lawyers" demanding civil restitution.
2. Your entry into the National Retail Theft Database that will let all the other member retailers know about your moral turpitude. While it might not get you fired from your existing job, you are likely burned for the next seven years from obtaining new employment at member stores.

Oh, and by the way, if you do get convicted of this...it is forever. There's no expungement or sealing of convictions in the Commonwealth.

[DeputyDog]

How many times have you stolen from MAC while working there, even samples/testers or one item? Are we talking 100 times or only a couple?

[Stewartemily]

I've never stolen from the company ever! With this on my record I'll never be able to convince anyone of this but it's true. I love and respect my job with everything in me. Just scared it'll all be gone soon..today I had my first court date and got a public defender and my next date is early July. Should I just find a way to pay for an attorney or will the pd be fine?

[Ohiogal]

A public defender IS an attorney. Good grief. That is insulting.

[Stewartemily]

No I understand that but I've been told that pds will often ask you to just take a shitty plea bargain. When I said "should I pay" that was me differentiating between the two. I'm not sure if one will be better than the other.

[eerelations]

...a shitty plea bargain.

OP, if Emily Stewart is your real name, you should know that everything you say here will be here permanently and can be found via a simple internet search, and can negatively impact your relationships with people, including your public defender.