Shoplifting, First Offense in Illinois

[MiasmaApe515]

Just recently my girlfriend and i were caught stealing under 50$ worth of merchandise. we were stopped by the LP right at the doors of the store took us in the office and gave us both a sheet saying that the store could sue me for 100$-1000$ or the amount we stole . i have nothing on my record same for my girlfriend, im still looking for a job at the moment and im not sure now if i can get one over my predicament now considering i am 19 and she is 17 we both have to go to court date what am i looking to face. . . A huge fine?. . . Jail?...
please help me out.

[Ant29]

Plea Not Guilty and ask for a public defender
You and your girlfriend will get a civil demand letter in the mailbox and it must be paid as soon as possible. If you don't, then the store will sue you.
Don't apply for ANY job that involves money. ex. retail, McDonalds, bank teller, and many more.

[MiasmaApe515]

sorry the store will sue us from 100-1000$ depending on what ever the circumstances are
now pleading guilty what about video proof they never showed us anything, but we did have items on us

[Texasfatboy]

Any Police involvement?

[MiasmaApe515]

yeah they came gave me a ticket

[PandorasBox]

Go to your Arraignment. Plead Not Guilty, ask for a public defender.

Pay the Civil Demand as soon as you get it. If the store has to sue you for it, they add in their legal fees. So a $250 bill (each) can become $1000+.

Since police were involved, technically you were arrested and released. Expect:
(1) Court costs/fines.
(2) A trip to the police post for fingerprinting and mugshot.

By pleading Guilty, you leave the judge with no choice but to give the Maximum Sentence.

By pleading Not Guilty and asking for Public Defender, you have a good chance at a lesser sentence (you plea guilty to that - hence the term "Plea Bargain").

For court: In my case, my lawyer had me bring proof the Civil Demand was paid. I also had to bring proof of my job search efforts.

As for your job search, as Ant29 said - forget retain, anything that involves handling money or credit cards.

[MiasmaApe515]

thanks a bunch

[MiasmaApe515]

ok so i got a letter from a law firm saying to pay this much amount for the act i committed what happens if i can't make that money up

[PandorasBox]

If you can't pay it at once, you call the number on the letter and see about making arrangements to pay in installments. And be sure to pay them.

Refusal to pay means:
- The amount goes up. (Read a few threads below, you will see how an ignored demand letter doubled)

- They can take you to civil court. Add in their legal fees. Royally screw up your credit history.....

Police were involved....when I shoplifted last March, my lawyer had me bring proof I was searching for a job, and proof the Civil Demand was paid.

[MiasmaApe515]

do you @pandorasbox or does anyone else know court fees?

just like a rough estimate