Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    5

    Default Accused of Shoplifting Lingerie

    I was charged with shoplifting in VA. I had a nightgown and bra in my purse WHEN IN ENTERED the store (Walmart). I had took them with me to find underwear to match the color. The garments were new, I had bought them the week before at a different Walmart.....the one I work at. While in the store I removed the garments from my purse so I could match colors, I did then remove the tags from these garments and lay them down....why, stupid I guess. I also had socks in my shopping cart, so when I could find no matching underwear I put the things back in my purse.....but I accidently put the socks too. I guess I was caught on tape, which if they would watch closely they could see me removing the items from my purse to start with. When I got outside I was stopped and asked to come inside and remove the items from my purse. I tried to tell them that the items were items I brought into the store....then they mentioned the socks.....I had forgot about the socks and I knew then just to forget about trying to explain. I did take the socks, but it was an accident. I was then charged with shoplifting $43.00....they counted everything.....even the items I went into the store with. I have never been charged with anything in my life....especially shoplifting.....like I said I work at Walmart....at least for now, and I see how shoplifters cost us our bonus every year. I have an appointment Monday to see a lawyer (if I need one), and then a court date in Nov. I just need to know: Do I need a lawyer? Do I just go along with the charges, they didn't believe me about the items being in my purse to begin with? What is going to happen to me if I do go along with the charges?

  2. #2
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Help!! Please

    Your dead in the water on the socks and the dollar value minus th eother items isnt going to change the charge. You should consult with a criminal defense Attorney and discuss your options far as your job at Walmart I would expect it gone

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Accused of Shoplifting Lingerie

    Okay, so it doesn't make any difference about the socks, that I mistakenly put in my purse and the total price of all the items, which were mine to begin with. Now, do I just plead guilty and face the charges? What can I expect as to the punishment? I have never faced anything like this before.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,094

    Default Re: Accused of Shoplifting Lingerie

    You should consult an attorney to find out the answers to your questions.

    The next time you take something into the store to match it put it in a separate bag from home and take the receipt. That way there won't be a question about when and where you purchased the item.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    MI
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: Accused of Shoplifting Lingerie

    A few points:

    #1. If your mental faculties are lacking to the degree that you can't visit a store without "accidentally" defrauding it of merchandise, I'd venture to guess you have much bigger problems to deal with than a misdemeanor conviction for retail fraud.

    #2. As you can probably imagine, expecting anyone to believe that you brought previously purchased items into the store (that happened to be from the same retailer), removed the price tags (that you didn't remove after you initially purchased the items, for some reason), and ditched the tags somewhere in the store (for whatever reason) is a bit of a stretch.

    #3. Should you "go along with the charges"? You admit to concealing unpaid merchandise (the socks) and exiting the store. Though I'm not familiar with VA's laws, this constitutes what I would imagine pretty much every state would define as 'retail fraud'. The discrepancy in value between the socks, and the socks + the lingerie (if you continue to maintain that you did not steal the lingerie) will likely be a non-issue for matters in criminal court.

    #4. No loss prevention officer worth anything would include merchandise in a retail fraud charge that s/he could not verify with absolute certainty was unpaid merchandise from the store. This means that the LP either:

    -personally witnessed you select said lingerie from the store's shelves

    -reviewed surveillance video after the items were found in your purse, confirming the lingerie was from the store, or

    -is an unethical hack that should probably be disciplined or fired

    Considering that Wal-mart stores typically boast some very sophisticated CCTV hardware, it should have been very apparent after reviewing the incident on video where the lingerie came from. They will have the video as evidence. Keep this in mind.

  6. #6
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Accused of Shoplifting Lingerie

    Unlike most retailers Walmart uses a 4 step arrest policy instead of the standard 5 or 6 step arrest policy. Its possible (without knowing the 4 steps they use. that the Walmart Lp still had all four of his steps.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    MI
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: Accused of Shoplifting Lingerie

    Quote Quoting panther10758
    View Post
    Unlike most retailers Walmart uses a 4 step arrst policy instead of the standard 5 or 6 step arrest policy. Its possible (without knowing the 4 steps they use. that the Walmart Lp still had all four of his steps.
    Very true. It's within the realm of possibility that the LP could have mistaken the original poster picking up the lingerie (shortly after removing it from her purse and setting it down) as 'selection' from the store's shelves.

    However, I would hope that if any question at all was raised about the status of the lingerie (no matter how contrived or unbelievable), the LP would have verified the origin of the merchandise by reviewing CCTV video. To not do so would be very bad form.

  8. #8
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Accused of Shoplifting Lingerie

    Total agreement but Walmart is not known for its LP expertise. Your statements also carry validity as to why this merchandise had tags etc. However regardless the dollar difference will not change the charges. OP should be consulting a criminal defense Attorney and discuss options. by the way the "accident" defense will not wash!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    In the camera room of course!
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Accused of Shoplifting Lingerie

    The very few times that I have actually had to return or exchange something at walmart, I was virtually attacked at the entrance by the door greeter with those little stickers that they put on items you bring into the store. Seeing how you already work for walmart, you would know this and automatically get your sticker at the door.

    I smell BS.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Accused of Shoplifting Lingerie

    I have an appointment Monday to speak with a lawyer....but I'm scared out of my mind. I've had to go get on depression pills to help me get through this. Am I going to go to jail for this? I have 2 kids at home who need me.....this is driving me crazy. Can anyone tell me if I'm likely going to spend time in jail? My first offense....no record what so ever.....the items were totaled at $43.00. Please help!!

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Accused of Shoplifting
    By spanks in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-24-2011, 09:10 PM
  2. Using Independent Contractors for a Lingerie Maid Service
    By Jay_Castello in forum Independent Contractors
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 12-19-2010, 12:47 PM
  3. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Accused of Shoplifting
    By HonestMistake in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-10-2010, 09:08 PM
  4. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Accused of Shoplifting
    By sad33 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-09-2008, 03:05 PM
  5. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Accused of Shoplifting
    By AmberAimee in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-15-2005, 07:20 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources