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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Posts
    3

    Default Minor Caught Shoplifting Cosmetics

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maryland

    Earlier this afternoon, I was in Target and I discovered that I did not have enough money to purchase the cosmetics I had selected and I made the (wrong) choice to shoplift them instead. I had them in my hand and I guess I attracted the attention of an undercover security member because I slipped into a toy aisle that was empty to slip my things into my backpack and he had been watching through the aisle gap in the luggage department, where I couldn't see him. As I attempted to exit the store, he turned me around and quickly handcuffed me, took my belongings and pulled me as discreetly as possible into the security room, where he handcuffed me to a bench. His tone of voice was clearly threatening so as to scare me for what I had done. I admitted to what I did and told him where he could retrieve the stolen items from my backpack.

    Because I am a minor, they told me that I could either willingly comply with them and give them the information they needed or I could be resistant and it would be that much harder for me. I complied. I gave them my name and date of birth as well as a contact number for my mother. The manager said because the security member had handcuffed me, an unnecessary action apparently, as Target policy states that you aren't supposed to cuff minors unless they have drugs, weapons, or tools for theft in their possession or are disobeying to a physical extent (ie trying to run away or harm someone), that the non-emergency had to be involved, as Target can only un-cuff someone with police consent. The cop showed up and wrote down on her records that she was sending to the juvenile courts my name, date of birth, and I gave her my address. My mom arrived shortly after the cop did, and they had me sign a paper saying that I admit to the crime and that I'm not allowed to enter that Target for a year or I'll be trespassing.

    Before my mom arrived, the security member stepped out with the manager so he could keep patrolling, and I was left int he room with the cop. I asked her politely to un-cuff me, as the security member had tightened the handcuffs as mush as possible and the cuffs were cutting into my wrists and my hands were purple from loss of circulation. She apologized for the rough manner in which the security member had brought me in and told me that I needed to consider my actions seriously and think on what I did. I told her I was very sorry, and that I'd learned my lesson. I then asked her what she thought my punishment would be, and she said that it would either be nothing, a small fine, or a few community service hours as the things I'd been attempting to steal were $35, it was a first time offense, and I had been compliant with both her and the security.

    My question is what you think my punishment will be. I don't mind having to pay a fine, as I have a job and I can use what I've been saving up to pay it, and I can do community service hours. But what do you think it will be? And will this go on my permanent record? Also, they did get me on their tapes, but they didn't take a picture of me. Does this mean I'm in their database? I'm thinking because I never looked at a camera directly that they wouldn't have good facial recognition, but I could be wrong. I know what I did was wrong, and thy have reason to be suspicious of me, but I buy tons of things at Target and I don't want to be followed around every time I go to any Target for the rest of my life.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Minor Caught Shoplifting Cosmetics

    Most likely what will happen is PBJ where you have to take a class, do some community service, cough up some money, and otherwise keep your nose clean for a year. Then it will go away. You screw that up you are stupider than you already are.

    Stay out of Target.
    Stop stealing.
    Expect you and your parents will also get a letter from Target's lawyers asking for restitution for the damage that criminals like you cause them.

    If you do get convicted (or as they say adjudicated delinquent in Juvie terms), it WILL go on your "permanent record" (this isn't elementary school, we're talking a life long criminal record). Unlike some other states that automatically seal juvenile records, if you are convicted in Maryland it is forever. If you get the PBJ, you can get that erased from your record if you successfully complete it, you turn 18, and at least two years have passed since the end of probation.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    441

    Default Re: Minor Caught Shoplifting Cosmetics

    I'm going to also add this: Your story is laden with both subtle and non-subtle inflections of "but THEEYYYY did something not totally right TOOOOOO." You do this multiple times, such as when you point out that "his voice was threatening," what you believe to be Target's handcuffing policy, to name a couple of instances.

    No one wants to hear that. The judge isn't going to want to hear that. This is about the criminal act that YOU committed. Whining about what you believe they could have done better/different isn't going to help your case. I once actually had a lawyer take a page from your playbook and start questioning me on the stand in court about my companies' chase policy, etc. The prosecutor objected and the judge said "the objection is sustained. This case isn't about whether LP followed their companies' policies. It's about the criminal acts that your client is alleged to have committed."

    Bottom line: Even if they violated some policy or normal procedure, I don't hear you describe any conduct that was illegal or unreasonable. So their actions in this case are irrelevant to you. Focus on YOUR actions and grow up. Police officers, especially when dealing with minors who might be scared, often are non-confrontational. The officer was just letting you talk and making generic statements to keep you calm when she said "well I'm sorry." Notice she DIDN'T say, "Hm, well he might be going to jail today too then." Take responsibility and don't play the game of "I'm not the only one wrong here" when in fact yes you are.

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