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  1. #1

    Default Will You Go to Jail Time for a First Shoplifting Offense

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: PA
    Walked out of grocery store with less than $50 worth of merchandise after arguing with the manager. Was in a highly stressful state at the time and very much out of my right mind. I had just earlier in the day found out I had lost $1,125 as the result of a bad business deal. Am two weeks from my wedding day. Two weeks ago was the anniversary of my mothers passing. Went to the store. Got in an argument with the manager of the store. After the arguement I had walked out with the items in hand, I was too afraid to go back in. The store seems lenient, however I live in a small town with little crime and this might be a cash bonanza to them. Could the store drop the charges possibly, and if so how could I get them to do that? Would the local cops then file their own charges? Will I be given jail time? If so how much? Could I plead it to ARD in my state?? Not sure if I was caught on camera or not. I am a 45 year old man who has owned a reputable local business for years. No previous record of any kind, not even a traffic or speeding violation.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Will You Go to Jail Time for a First Shoplifting Offense

    So are you saying you walked out with merchandise as the manager watched? And you haven't been contacted by anybody yet?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    441

    Default Re: Will You Go to Jail Time for a First Shoplifting Offense

    Without knowing every detail, no one can tell you that. Generally speaking, if you were to play the statistics game across the country, is it LIKELY one would go to jail on a first shoplifting offense with no record? No. Are there exceptions? Yes, there are many. There absolutely are courts in my area that will send someone to jail for shoplifting, even on a first offense, and even if just for 3 or 4 days.

    Here's a novel idea: Go back and pay for the groceries you walked out with.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    16,474

    Default Re: Will You Go to Jail Time for a First Shoplifting Offense

    Quote Quoting DeputyDog
    View Post
    Without knowing every detail, no one can tell you that. Generally speaking, if you were to play the statistics game across the country, is it LIKELY one would go to jail on a first shoplifting offense with no record? No. Are there exceptions? Yes, there are many. There absolutely are courts in my area that will send someone to jail for shoplifting, even on a first offense, and even if just for 3 or 4 days.

    Here's a novel idea: Go back and pay for the groceries you walked out with.
    20 years ago I would have advised someone to do that. Not these days.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    441

    Default Re: Will You Go to Jail Time for a First Shoplifting Offense

    People make damn mountains out of mole hills.

    Call the manager up and say "Hey, I realized that when we were disagreeing I walked right out without even paying. (might want to add: "sorry I was such an ****** btw.") Want my credit card info over the phone so I can pay for my groceries, or want me to come back?"

    Of course, I suspect there's more to this story. And I suspect it was no accident. But I'm simply taking the post at face value and all.

    I can't even imagine a prosecution - let alone a successful one - where the person comes back OF THEIR OWN VOILITION, without being contacted by the store or the police, and says "I realized I walked out, here's the money." That pretty much is the definition of "reasonable doubt" in a theft case - and then some.

    Again, just taking this at face value as the unvarnished truth.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    1,419

    Default Re: Will You Go to Jail Time for a First Shoplifting Offense

    Most of the time not,sometimes they might say o our policy is to arrest someone. Its just not worth the risk of being arrested and having to deal with the legal system.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Quoting llworking
    View Post
    20 years ago I would have advised someone to do that. Not these days.
    Exactly.

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