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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Posts
    1

    Default What Happens if a Low-Income Senior is Caught Shoplifting

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: nj am 70 years old and retired on SS,living alone but taking care of my husband (very sick) i did something horrible i dont know why. ami taking some medicines, (no excuses) but, i took something from a dept store, by the way, i have the store card and i pay well,i was taken to a room and the guy took my purse and shopping bag, started looking on my money and all.well, he found the items, i never said i took them but, he saw it in my purse.he told me if a cooperate being honest i can go home,i did, he found the prices for the items, but didnt tell me how much they cost, (i know were cheap items) he asked for my information but i did not signed anything or make any statement.didnt call the police, explained to me that i was going to get a letter and i have to pay a fine ( how much)????? , the items value almost $100. he told me no problem i can come to the store anytime but i have to behave.and told me to go home, and be careful with the stairs in the store,(i have a bad knee)i am very worry, i only make $850 a month i rent an apt. for seniors.i will pay the fine but i would like to know how this work with peoples with very low income and elderlies.( AGAIN, NO EXCUSES) only asking, i cant sleep anymore.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Posts
    3,212

    Default Re: Old and Doing Wrong

    The laws are the same for everyone. You may be able to make some kind of arrangements to pay the fine over a few months, but there are no guarantees. When you get the letter, if you can't pay the amount on full call the number on the letter. And please get some counseling. You may not be as luck next time.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    8,238

    Default Re: Old and Doing Wrong

    You’ll get a letter from the retailer making a civil demand for the theft. In NJ the retailer may demand $150 plus the value of the goods if the goods were not returned in good condition to sell. If you pay when you get the letter that’s likely to be the end of it since the police were not called. That means you won’t have a criminal record or have to spend any time in jail. In short, this episode is likely to cost you between $150-$250 based on the facts as you presented them. But if you do this again, it could come out a lot worse.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    1,142

    Default Re: Old and Doing Wrong

    What you did is something you should discuss with your doctor, ask for them to set you up some counseling. You are obviously under a lot of stress and I agree with Mercy & Grace, you were given some mercy and grace here, but because you are poor or elderly or on medication or whatever is NOT the reason you did it. In a strange way, you did it to relieve your stress and give your system an adrenaline rush, and if you don't deal with it through medical help, you will likely do it again when things die down from this incident and you will eventually really find yourself in terrible trouble.

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