Results 1 to 10 of 18

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Alhambra, CA
    Posts
    1

    Default Caught Shoplifting at Costco

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
    Basically I was stupid! I'm 44 years old, FIRST time ever doing something like this.
    "There's no right to do a wrong thing" but I've been hit very hard financially (like many of us) My budget is very low and my car just happen to have the "check engine" light on (not to mention needs new tires and oil change which calls for over $1K expense). I went to buy some stuff for home then I saw this "Car Decoder" and I (stupidly) decided to take it out of its package and conceal it in my pocket and try to fix my car on my own.
    As I walked out I was confronted by the Lost Prevention team (who happen to saw me and followed me while performing the shoping and the stealing) Cops where called, fingerprints, pictures taken, etc all paperwork and process done and court date scheduled for 4/22/10.
    Value of stolen goods under $100
    My Question:
    What are the odds to getting the case dismissed or not on my record? This is my ever first time doing something unlawful (Shame on me, not even when I was a teenager did stupid stuff but, hey I guess some of us humans are prone to failure).
    I have a job ($64K/ year) however after taxes and bill payments I don't have enought to hire a lawyer. Could I be able to be represented by a Public defender?
    What should I do?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting at Costco

    3 words: Criminal Defense Lawyer.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    233

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting at Costco

    Quote Quoting PandorasBox
    View Post
    3 words: Criminal Defense Lawyer.
    What could a lawyer do for you in a case like this? what is it, petty theft? with fines and probation, wouldn't it be cheaper to go the court route versus hiring a lawyer? just askin'

  4. #4

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting at Costco

    Don't get a lawyer if you are OK with living with a criminal conviction. Good luck with that.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    California
    Posts
    666

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting at Costco

    It sounds to me like an open and closed case. They have you "dead to rights". So why pay an attorney? Well, if there is any way to get the charges reduced or the penalties reduced, a good criminal defense attorney knows the ropes. The killer is that there is no guarantee that you will choose a good attorney or that the attorney will get you a less bad deal then you would get on your own. That risk is part of the price you pay for breaking the law.

    I do recommend getting an attorney to handle it for you. While it is tough in these economic times, at least you have a good paying job; many don't. Oh, and Costco has to be the worst place in the country to shoplift. Their entire system is set up to make it difficult to shoplift to discourage the practice and make it difficult to leave the store with merchandise you haven't paid for, as opposed to others which seem to almost hope you'll try so they can prosecute. Costco's approach is to make paying customers out of people who would be shoplifters elsewhere.

    In answer to your specific question. "What are the odds to getting the case dismissed or not on my record?" I'd give them .00001% and .0001% respectively.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting at Costco

    A lawyer can better negotiate with the prosecutor than the Average Joe can. While the charge will not be dismissed, it can be reduced to a lesser charge (and lesser penalty). Oh yeah, and one day in court vs 4-5.

    Sure, you could take your chance on going in, pleading Not Guilty, wait for a pre-trial conference with the Prosecutor by yourself, then wait for a trial. And hope for the best at Sentencing.

  7. #7

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting at Costco

    Quote Quoting VzlaFox
    View Post
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
    I have a job ($64K/ year) however after taxes and bill payments I don't have enought to hire a lawyer. Could I be able to be represented by a Public defender?
    What should I do?
    You will not qualify for a public defender.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Shoplifting at Costco
    By Exile999 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-11-2009, 12:47 PM
  2. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Caught Shoplifting at Costco, What Happens Next
    By kittam in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-31-2009, 10:47 PM
  3. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Caught Shoplifting at Costco
    By Willys in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 02-21-2009, 08:34 AM
  4. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Shoplifting at Costco
    By shoplifting_costco in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-26-2007, 09:05 PM
  5. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Caught Shoplifting at Costco
    By helpmepls in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-13-2006, 05:05 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources