Shoplifting in Washington DC

[bettylee]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington DC

I am very sorry to say that I was caught shoplifting for a petty cause at Filene's Basement in Washington DC. It was a stupid stupid thing to do and I am completely remorseful. I am 23, and live and work in DC. I have no previous history of any unlawful activities of any sort.

I was caught taking a top and a shorts, worth less than $20 each. The person stopped me took me to a back room and I gave him permission to go through my stuff. I started denying it, but then realized that I might as well say nothing. He took out the top and the shorts and started filling out paperwork... he took my ID, took a photograph and said that I will receive a bill on my mail for the amount of the two items. He also took my own shawl insisting that it was the store's. He threatened to call the police, but did not do so. He kept asking me why I did it, and I just shrugged. He also told me that he knew that I had done this before at the same store; this I did not respond to. He also asked me where I work; I did not answer to this either.

I signed some papers and am banned from all of their stores (not sure whether it is for life or not). The person who apprehended me took all my information, including SSN, birthdate, address and everything else on my state ID. I was told that I would be escorted out, but the person let me go by myself after telling me I got off easy.

I am trying to figure out exactly how much I should worry about this right now. I am a working professional, and did this very juvenile thing due to increasing stress in my life recently (sorry, do not mean to make excuses). I am not sure whether I need legal help here or not. I did kinda confess of the crime. But, the police were not invovled.

- Does this go on my permanent record?
- Is there any other type of record that this might go on?
- Will this be disclosed to anyone?
- This store was in a complex-type area with other big stores. Will they disclose this information to the other stores? Will I still be able to go to the other stores, or should I avoid them as well?
- Do I have to disclose this encounter (since this was not an arrest) to my employer, or any future employers?
- Will this in any way hinder the process if I want to get government clearance (will I have to disclose it?)?
- Do I need legal help?

Please advise.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If there's no police or court involvement, there's no public criminal record and no arrest record. The store can keep records; some stores share records of known shoplifters. What's this store's policy? We can only guess.

This is not ordinarily something you would have to raise with an employer. Could it come up in a detailed enough background check? Anything's possible. You're looking for work with the NSA?

[bettylee]

This is not ordinarily something you would have to raise with an employer. Could it come up in a detailed enough background check? Anything's possible. You're looking for work with the NSA?

Thank you so much for your answer, Mr. Knowitall.
I am looking to work as a Federal contractor- it could be for NSA (unlikely), but more specifically finance-orientation divisions.