Are There Any Diversion Programs for Shoplifing in AR?

[stupidmistake1084]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Arkansas

Today I was in a mall with some friends, and made a huge huge stupid mistake of shoplifting in a dillards... The merchandise totaled $118. I was given a citation and a court date. Now I"m just completely freaking out.. so many questions are on my mind, so I'm on the internet researching, and I think I'm just making my anxiety worse... But from reading posts on here, I've come up with a few questions and if ANYONE has any answers or advice, I would appreciate it so much...

1) I've noticed there are people talking about diversion programs that could keep the conviction off my record.. is this availible to me in arkansas?

2) What is the likelyhood of jail time? this is my first offense and the merchandise barely tops $100, but I know the MAXIMUM for a Class A Misdemeanor (which is what theft under 500 in AR is) is a year, but on a first offense, will i really end up in jail??

3) Will my current employer be informed of my conviction??? and if yes, will this happen before or after my court date?? I'm privately employed so I might not lose my job, but my boss is a close friend...i would NEVER EVER EVER steal from my job...I was under the influence at the time (although, the police didn't seem to pick up on it, so I kept quiet, since I figured if they knew I was messed up in a shopping mall I could get public intox as well).

4) I'm a full time college student, and I'm wanting to obtain a teaching certificate in a year or so and try to teach... how bad have i screwed up my future?? This is not somehting I commonly participate in or condone. This was a stupid mistake bc I'd been drinking... I'm learning my lesson, but I"m freaking out that this will keep me from EVER getting a teaching job...."

5)I've read enough posts to know I need to find an attorney.. I plan on it, i"M just really FREAKING OUT right now and tommorow is a holiday and I probably won't be able to get in touch with anyone, so i'm hoping someone can tell me on here... I KNOW what I did was incredibly stupid and irresponsible..I let alcohol and a bad influence convince me that just putting that expensive dress in my bag would be "ok"... And now i'm a statistic, and i'm so ashamed and hate myself.. I'm just hoping everything is going to be ok... a diversion program though is a HUGE HUGE hope...

[PJ Weber]

1) I've noticed there are people talking about diversion programs that could keep the conviction off my record.. is this availible to me in arkansas?

Contact the Prosecutor, see what he says

2) What is the likelyhood of jail time? this is my first offense and the merchandise barely tops $100, but I know the MAXIMUM for a Class A Misdemeanor (which is what theft under 500 in AR is) is a year, but on a first offense, will i really end up in jail??

The odds of you going to jail are slim

3) Will my current employer be informed of my conviction??? and if yes, will this happen before or after my court date?? I'm privately employed so I might not lose my job, but my boss is a close friend...i would NEVER EVER EVER steal from my job...I was under the influence at the time (although, the police didn't seem to pick up on it, so I kept quiet, since I figured if they knew I was messed up in a shopping mall I could get public intox as well)

It's unlikely your employer will ever find out about this

4) I'm a full time college student, and I'm wanting to obtain a teaching certificate in a year or so and try to teach... how bad have i screwed up my future?? This is not somehting I commonly participate in or condone. This was a stupid mistake bc I'd been drinking... I'm learning my lesson, but I"m freaking out that this will keep me from EVER getting a teaching job...."

Unknown

5)I've read enough posts to know I need to find an attorney.. I plan on it, i"M just really FREAKING OUT right now and tommorow is a holiday and I probably won't be able to get in touch with anyone, so i'm hoping someone can tell me on here...

The attorney is a good idea, he or she will have knowledge that
can benefit you

You can expect the following at court:
-Fines
-Community Service
-Probation

STOP freaking out !

This is not the end of the world. In the grand scale of things it means nothing, on a smaller scale it means something. As you see in this forum you are not the only one in this, you have plenty of company

Consider it a lesson learned

[gigirle]

) I've noticed there are people talking about diversion programs that could keep the conviction off my record.. is this availible to me in arkansas?

Programs differ from state to state and county to county thats one reason your told to get a local lawyer who is familiar with the judges and programs availble to you.

2) What is the likelyhood of jail time? this is my first offense and the merchandise barely tops $100, but I know the MAXIMUM for a Class A Misdemeanor (which is what theft under 500 in AR is) is a year, but on a first offense, will i really end up in jail??

Slim to none but anything is possible. Espically on a first offense. Jail is for real criminals and there aint much room for them these days.

3) Will my current employer be informed of my conviction??? and if yes, will this happen before or after my court date?? I'm privately employed so I might not lose my job, but my boss is a close friend...i would NEVER EVER EVER steal from my job...I was under the influence at the time (although, the police didn't seem to pick up on it, so I kept quiet, since I figured if they knew I was messed up in a shopping mall I could get public intox as well).

If you tell her she'll know. But the court wont notify her.

4) I'm a full time college student, and I'm wanting to obtain a teaching certificate in a year or so and try to teach... how bad have i screwed up my future?? This is not somehting I commonly participate in or condone. This was a stupid mistake bc I'd been drinking... I'm learning my lesson, but I"m freaking out that this will keep me from EVER getting a teaching job...."

You have to wait and see what happens in court. You want to avoid a conviction. No one wants to hire someone who is a theif. Sorry to sound cold but its the truth.

5)I've read enough posts to know I need to find an attorney.. I plan on it, i"M just really FREAKING OUT right now and tommorow is a holiday and I probably won't be able to get in touch with anyone, so i'm hoping someone can tell me on here... I KNOW what I did was incredibly stupid and irresponsible..I let alcohol and a bad influence convince me that just putting that expensive dress in my bag would be "ok"... And now i'm a statistic, and i'm so ashamed and hate myself.. I'm just hoping everything is going to be ok... a diversion program though is a HUGE HUGE hope...

Don't freak too much, there is nothing you can do but wait. And most of the real world work on Columbus day ??
IMHO, Leave the alcohol part of it out, two wrongs don't make a right.
Don't drink anymore.
The bright side is they didn't call the police cuz then you'd have a seperate arrest record to deal with. It could be worse.