Third Degree Retail Fraud No Police in Michigan

[jsally17]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan

This is the most embarrassing moment of my life. Yesterday I was caught stealing some deodorant and some cologne from Sears. The irony of the situation is that the stuff wasn't even for me... it was for my roommate who smells bad... I just didn't want to pay $34 for it.

Here's the situation: I was caught stealing $34 worth of merch from the store. They caught me about 25 yards outside the store. I am 19. They took me to their office inside Sears and wrote up all the paper work. The police were never involved. They scheduled a court date for me about three weeks from yesterday, and they gave me a letter saying Sears had the rights to charge me some fees for the Merchandise. The items I stole were in re-sellable condition, there was no damage done to the items or the boxes.

My question is this: Will this go on my record since the police were never involved? Will I have any jail time for this? Those are my two big questions... but I'm also curious as to how big the fine will probably be.

If it does go on my record, what are the consequences of that. How will it haunt me? Jobs? Being pulled over in the car? Getting a visa, etc?

Thanks!

Jsally17

[cyjeff]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan

This is the most embarrassing moment of my life. Yesterday I was caught stealing some deodorant and some cologne from Sears. The irony of the situation is that the stuff wasn't even for me... it was for my roommate who smells bad... I just didn't want to pay $34 for it.

Here's the situation: I was caught stealing $34 worth of merch from the store. They caught me about 25 yards outside the store. I am 19. They took me to their office inside Sears and wrote up all the paper work. The police were never involved. They scheduled a court date for me about three weeks from yesterday, and they gave me a letter saying Sears had the rights to charge me some fees for the Merchandise. The items I stole were in re-sellable condition, there was no damage done to the items or the boxes.

If you have a court date, the police were involved. You received a summons to court in the mail, right?

You will receive the "fees"... commonly referred to as a civil demand. This will be for several hundred dollars.

Pay it. You are paying the costs of the LP folks that caught you, all the other shoplifters that got away with it, and just as a general deterrent.

While I am sure they appreciate the condition of the items, that doesn't change the fact that you owe the demand.

My question is this: Will this go on my record since the police were never involved? Will I have any jail time for this? Those are my two big questions... but I'm also curious as to how big the fine will probably be.

I strongly recommend the use of an attorney.

You will, most likely, receive an additional fine, community service and probation. The court may allow you to, at the completion of said probation, to expunge this from your record.

I urge you to discuss this possibility with your attorney.

If you are offered diversion, take it and do your sentence. Afterwards, it will be like it never happened...

Well, other than the immense cost involved to you.

[jsally17]

They gave me a court summons when I was detained in the office. I haven't received anything in the mail yet. I'm supposed to call the court in a couple days.

So even though the police never showed up on the seen, I was never arrested by the police, handcuffed, or taken to the police station, the police will still have a record of this event? I guess my biggest worry is whether this will haunt me for a long time on a record or something.

As far as an attorney, will I most likely be able to get a Public Defense Attorney when I call the court? Or is that a long shot? Would the DA be free of cost?

Will I have to pay for the prosecuting attorney fees?

Am I looking at any jail time at all? I'm a student and unless it was just overnight or something that would be soooo bad for my grades - missing so many classes, though I'm sure the judicial system really doesn't care about that... due to the crime being my fault.

Will anyone besides me, Sears, and the Police know about this? Like I said, this is extremely embarrassing for me and I just want to get it all behind me. I'm not a minor so unless I'm missing something I don't think my parents would be notified of anything.

Thank you so much for your help.

[jsally17]

I just called the court today.

I have a date scheduled to show up. They will tell me what I am charged with there. I have the opportunity to ask for a Public Defense Attorney there, and I have to either plead guilty or not guilty then.

Should I plead guilty or not guilty? How should I know what to plead? I am guilty, but is that the best option for me to plead?

Thanks.