Shoplifting In California

[chunkmunk]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: CA

i was at at dept store and was gettin crappy reception. i have a Sidekick phone and im hooked to it. well, i got sidetracked with some earings in my hand and walked out to the mall. i forgot about the earings and LP approached me. He accused me ofstealing and i tried to explain it was an accident. the earings were $10. i was going to pay for but got side tracked with my phone. LP man didnt wanna hear it he jus wanted to detain me and i refused and went to my mom. she didnt kno what was goin on. i told her and the man still refused to listen to me so my mom told me to walk. i did. police came. i ened up goin in the office after but they didnt believe me. my mom made a huge mistake and when they talked to her she told them i was a younger age. ( i kno she was jus tryin to protect me ) but i think that made it worst. now i have court. what is going to happen to me? i kno people walk out with items on accident all the time. i work in retail and it happends alot! im afraid that the lie my mom told will count against me. please help

[panther10758]

Intentional or not you met criteria for shoplifitng. You now need a criminal defense Attorney to attempt to minimize the damage. Ask your Attorney about diversion. If yu work retailits possible this retailer (one who stopped you) might input your name into a retail database which can be accessed by any retailer who subscribes to it. Meaning your employer could find out

[chuckycheese]

I'll add that to my list of reasons why I hate cell phones. (Evidently, they make you steal things.)

[SChinFChin]

Before you panic, maybe there's store security cameras showing what happened.

I'm, sure it happens more often than you think. I was at a mall, sitting ouside the entrance of a dept store, opposite where there have alarms activated by security tags. Some lady shopper talking on the phone, and looking at merchandise near the entrance tripped the alarm, then realizing it, walked quickly inside. A minute later, security swarmed the spot.

One security guy came over and asked me if I saw what happened. I told him that they keep stuff too close to the exit, and a distracted shopper accidentally tripped the alarm, adding that from what I saw, she had no intention of stealing anything. He asked again if I saw who it is, I pointed to a women with clothes drapped over her arms inside, and further said their security cameras should be able to show no bad intentions.

I saw they had a brief chat with the lady and left her alone.

If I were you, just explain it to the judge the way it happened, get records of the phone calls, that you were taking a call, and security tapes if possible.

[panther10758]

Before you panic, maybe there's store security cameras showing what happened.

I'm, sure it happens more often than you think. I was at a mall, sitting ouside the entrance of a dept store, opposite where there have alarms activated by security tags. Some lady shopper talking on the phone, and looking at merchandise near the entrance tripped the alarm, then realizing it, walked quickly inside. A minute later, security swarmed the spot.

One security guy came over and asked me if I saw what happened. I told him that they keep stuff too close to the exit, and a distracted shopper accidentally tripped the alarm, adding that from what I saw, she had no intention of stealing anything. He asked again if I saw who it is, I pointed to a women with clothes drapped over her arms inside, and further said their security cameras should be able to show no bad intentions.

I saw they had a brief chat with the lady and left her alone.

If I were you, just explain it to the judge the way it happened, get records of the phone calls, that you were taking a call, and security tapes if possible.

The problem here is that OP did not walk back to store she entered Mall! Your story doe snot apply here. By the way Police, LP and judges here the "accident" version over and over true or not its not going to wash very likely

[panther10758]

I'll add that to my list of reasons why I hate cell phones. (Evidently, they make you steal things.)

Maybe a ban (like ban on driving while using cell phones) of Cell phone use while shopping?