Alright, I am a first year law student. I got caught shoplifting at Target today with my boyfriend. He had $187 worth and I had $59 worth.
The whole ordeal was embarassing. They took my boyfriend's arm and ordered him to open the door to the security area in the front entrance where we were stopped. They handcuffed my boyfriend. Made a scene in front of other customers. We were in the room, closed doors, and it was videotaped.
I asked why they handcuffed him and they told me that because he was being a little rough and I said politely "I'm sorry, how so?". There was one police officer there and he said in a really mean and asshole way, "I just told you why". Then the cop said, "you guys are both under arrest for shoplifting".
There was a guy not in uniform filling out papers. They asked for IDs. We submitted them. . they were being a little more casual and nicer. I made it a point to point out the fact that I was a law student (just in case there was gonna be any discrimination brutality crap that I've seen and grown up with all my life being a tatooed, pierced minority). I just wanted to let them know I was paying attention to everything.
They took down our address and said "you'll probably get a fine for the amount you stole in the mail". The cop asked if we were ever arrested before and we said no. My boyfriend lied but I have never ever gotten in trouble for anything, which is the truth.
We were NOT asked to sign anything. We were not informed of any kind of court hearing or summons. We were not told what kind of charge we would get or what to expect other than "probably a fine for the amounts we stole from the corporation". They took my boyfriend's picture then unhandcuffed him. They did not take my picture saying "I don't want to waste your time" to me. They let us go nicely and we were free.
I have two problems. What the hell is going to happen? How come I didn't have to sign anything or why the hell did they treat my boyfriend differently than me?
As a law student I have a duty to disclose any kind of citation, parking tickets, traffic, anything and everything ever on record. I don't even know how to describe it. . .what do I put there? I was arrested? I haven't been convicted of it and they didn't make me sign anything. . .do I need a lawyer?

