hey there i haven't been on this website in a long time. Well the outcome of my shoplifting story wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. Trust me when i was caught i was scared. my heart was beating so fast. i didnt know what would happen to me, if i would go to jail, or what. i didnt even think about how this would affect my future. until now.
after i was caught shoplifting, my story is pretty much the same as everyone elses. i was taken in the "room", with all the survillence cameras. they handcuffed me, took all my info. and statement, and took pix. they made me sign a paper for civil demand charges and another stating that i was not allowed there for a year. then i waited until the police came and escorted me out in handcuffs. taken to the station, more pix taken of me, then my fingerprints. police called someone and gave my name. they said they would release me with a citation since i have no priors and i would have to go to court next month. i was kinda relieved until i got home and did some thinking. i realized that this could go on my record. and i will have a criminal record and i would have to go to court and pay fee's etc. i was scared because i also didnt have a job, so i really had no money. i didnt know if i should get a lawyer. i did speak to some.
in the end a few weeks later i recieved a letter and i was able to take this educational program and if i completed it the charges would be drop. i was so happy. i still had to pay a civial demand to the store which was like $300 and i had to pay the court so i can take the program which cam out to be almost $500. i had to pay nearly $800 for freakin jeans that only cost $49. well as soon as i paid i did my community service which is included in the program and completed the workbook i had to do and turned it in. a few week later i got a letter stating i completed the program and that charges were dropped. YAY i was so happy.
now my only fear is now. even though this is all done and no charges are filed against me i still have to face a few minor consequence that may still affect my future drastically.
i am currently in school, and will be graduating in about a year. after i graduate i need to take a state exam to become liscensed and register in the haelthcare profession that i am majoring in. in order to process my application to take the exam they need to do a criminal background check. here is the thing i am unsure of since no charges or convictions were filed against me nothing would show up on my background check. kinda wrong i think. no convition will show up but my arrest will. i think.from what i was told arrest will never get off of your record even if you get a lawyer. that is why i am still scared. i feel once they see my arrest they will automatically deny my application. see i am confused tho someone told me that since no charges were filed i am not a criminal, i was never proven guilty. then someone else told me that by taking this diversion program the arrest wont show up.
i was wondering if anyone knows if anyone was or is in a similar situation as me, if anyone has been and they need to take a or have taken a state exam with an arrest on their record what was the outcome.
i fear the worse that i will get denied and that all this time of being in college the money spent on tution and books, etc. will all be wasted.i feel like i wont be able to get a good job. what might happen. i kno i made a mistake. and feel like EVERYONE makes mistakes i just hope this one mistake wont affect my whole life. i am so scared, i thought the worse was over but its not, even thou you are given a 2nd chance there will still be some consequcne you would still have to face later in life.

