Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    7

    Unhappy Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    Hi, I live in California and I'm 16 years old. I got caught shoplifting when I was 15 years old at Mervyns in a mall. It was one of the worst days of my life. My friend (also 15 at the age) and I were caught by the store security and were brought into his office. We were handcuffed one hand to the benches that they had us sat on. They asked us for our information (name, address, phone, ID, etc.) The merchandise was worth less than $250 so I think it was considered a misdemeanor or petty theft. We were in there for about 2-3 hours. He was typing up our information on his computer and took pictures of us. He said we could never go back to the store and banned from the mall for 6 months.

    Then he contacted the police and contacted our parents to pick us up. When the police came, he handed us to the police's custody, and the police officer drove us to a little police station at the end of the mall. Then when our parents came to pick up up, the police give our parents some papers to sign and we then were released. A few weeks later, my friend and I got a bill from Mervyns and it said, if we pay the fine, they won't take us to court. Then of course, we paid. About two weeks later, we got another letter telling us to go to a class for one day. The purpose of the class was basically teaching us not to do illegal stuff and making us realize our mistakes. The class had all people under 18 and they were there for different reasons, like getting caught doing drugs or drinking, shoplifting and many other reasons (but not serious like killing someone.)

    I regret what happened very much and I am not going to do anything illegal again.


    But my questions are:
    1. Is it on my permanent record because I didn't have to go to court but the police were involved?

    2. Does that mean I was arrested? For right now, when I apply for job or something, under the section have you ever been arrested, do I put yes or no? What about after I turn 18?

    3. After I turn 21, if I want to apply to government jobs, would they have the access to see?

    4. And is there any way to check my record? (other than finding an attorney because I know it would cost a lot of money to hire one)

    Please help me with those questions if you can. Thank you

  2. #2
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    1. Is it on my permanent record because I didn't have to go to court but the police were involved?
    You have an arrest record but not a criminal record


    2. Does that mean I was arrested? For right now, when I apply for job or something, under the section have you ever been arrested, do I put yes or no? What about after I turn 18?

    Yes you were arrested however I have yet to see an appication (they may exist) that ask about arrests only convictions. Many crimes committed as a minor become sealed once you reach age of majority.


    3. After I turn 21, if I want to apply to government jobs, would they have the access to see?
    I would say yes, but thats an assumption


    4. And is there any way to check my record? (other than finding an attorney because I know it would cost a lot of money to hire one)
    sure spend around $30.00 to $50.00 and run a background check on yourself

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    7

    Question Re: Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    hi, what's the difference between the record being sealed and expungement? Can records be permanently destroyed that no one will be able to see it (no even the government)?

    also what a Diversion program? Is it too late to get that now? I was reading some posts on this site and there was a lot of mentions about Diversion programs and something about after finishing that, the records won't be there?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    7

    Exclamation Re: Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    Another question, does anyone know any good websites to do a background check? with cheap and accurate informations? Thanks!

  5. #5

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    Just find your local online court database and put your name in. That will show you what, if anything will show up on a background check. It is doubtful that you being a minor would have anything show up.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    7

    Unhappy Re: Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    Do background checks include arrests?( I'm still not sure that arrest is on my record or not) Or only like convictions? The thing is that there are so many websites that says I can do background checks there, but how do I know if which one works?

  7. #7
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    A standard background check will not normally include arrests but, that is not a gurantee

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    7

    Arrow Re: Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    If it usually doesn't what else can I do?

    Please help, I really want to know if it is or not. Because I will need to know after I turn 18 if I need to get an expungment or hire lawyer to get my record off.

  9. #9
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    Even if its expunged if someone is willing to put the effort and money into finding out they will. Ther eis no exact answer. Getting your arrest expunged is best way to ensure employers or anyone will not see it but its not a 100% gurantee

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting in Mervyns

    A lot of things could have happened. For example, the police could have officially classified your arrest as a "detention" so that no record would be likely to exist outside of the police station. If there is an arrest record you should be able to petition the Juvenile Court to seal the record under Section 781 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Caught Shoplifting at Mervyns
    By joey121812 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-18-2008, 05:38 PM
  2. Theft and Larceny: Caught Stealing at Mervyns
    By sallyjoe07 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-27-2008, 02:21 PM
  3. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Caught Shoplifting In Mervyns
    By pigglywiggly in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 04-18-2008, 01:54 PM
  4. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Caught Shoplifting At Mervyns, 1st Offense, Minor in California
    By dudeartrocks in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-16-2008, 12:27 PM
  5. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Shoplifting at Mervyns
    By pstad05 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-26-2006, 01:18 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources