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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    1

    Default What Happens Next if You're Cited for Shoplifting

    I'm 18 and my friend was 19 and we both was caught stealing at Walmart, the total amount was under $200. They said it was like $190 and all of it was clothing that was stolen and baby stuff. I only stole one item and my friend stole the rest. The police was called and we both was took to the back surveillance room of Walmart and was held there until police got there. The police officer was nice to us and didn't arrest either of us. We just signed papers and they took our pictures. We was gave a yellow slip to show our court date and then was released to go home. What happens next? I feel terrible for my actions. I know what I did was wrong and my actions was way out of disrespect and I even told them I was sorry. I just want to know what will happen to me. Can someone give me advise please. I'm so terrified. I have a 2 year old little boy and I don't want to go to jail over this. I learned from my mistakes and I'm willing to do anything to make it right again and I understand my consequences. This is also my first time ever stealing and I have a very clean record. Please help!!!! The state was Illinois.

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

    Default Re: Consequences of Shoplifting

    Taebabyy: You should start your own thread. Understand when you are participating with others in a crime, you're all responsible for everything that occurs.
    If you were issued a summons to court, for all intents and purposes, you WERE arrested. Depending on what state you are in, you can probably expect to hear from some lawyers who comb the address reports looking for customers.

    Telling people you are sorry doesn't make things go away. Understand it isn't WALMART versus you with the criminal charge. Society is the one harmed when you commit a crime, and it is the state that prosecutes you.

    One of the reasons you don't want to tag on to an existing thread is you miss the "what state are you in?" prompt. It's hard for us to give specific advice. If your state offers a diversion that allows you to avoid a convinction after some probation, you should take it. If not, YOU NEED A LAWYER. If you are indigent, ask for a public defender. While jail is a possiblity, it's unlikely for a first offense. HOWEVER, DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD TO COURT WITH YOU. If they give you even a short time in lockup, the state will have no option but to hand your kid over to the child services folks.

    In addition to your criminal issues, you can expect a letter from Walmart's "lawyers" demanding they be compensated for the damage you and people like you cause them. The amount varies depending on the state, but you can expect it to be in the range of $600. You can also expect that fines and court costs (I'm ball parking on two states: PA and VA I am directly familiar with) a few thousand dollars in your fine and probation costs. A lawyer will probably run you a couple of thousand by the time it is all done. CRIME DOES NOT PAY.

    Unless you get the diversion, you'll have a lifetime criminal record of a crime of moral turpitude in many states. One of our local judges here points out that he'd rather hire one of the drug arrests before them. It's easier to get someone off a substance dependency than to reform someone with deficient morals.

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