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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    1

    Default Caught Shoplifting - Can I Get the Case Dropped

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
    Hello,

    I was caught for shoplifting. I am new to the country, and my current status is permanent resident with green card, and I am 21. I tried to exchange item that I bought 2 weeks earlier for $49.99 with another item $48.00 in the same store. I took the security device off, put on new item, and left my old item (have been worn only once) in the fitting room. The reason I did that, because I removed the tag from my item and I thought that nobody would exchange it, and of course it was very impulsive and this crazy idea came just in the store. As I understood I was caught by the camera. The loss prevention worker stopped me when I walked out of the store. Then policeman arrived. I tried to explain to the policeman and the worker my intentions. I do not know what will be written in the police report, but one of the lawyer said that in such situation it is likely to drop the case even before the first appear in the court.

    1. Is it possible to drop the case before the 1st time I have to appear in the court?
    2. Can I travel out of country between the times I have to appear in the court?
    3. As I was told, in my situation (bachelor + admission to grad school + current work as an engineer) I would most likely get infraction or misdemeanor with further expungement. What is better for the future job?
    4. There is an option to continue to trial and to prove myself innocent. What are the odds for this?
    5. How it might effect in receiving US citizenship?

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

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting - Can I Get the Case Dropped

    You need to talk to an Immigration Lawyer about your criminal charge and Immigration status.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Midwest
    Posts
    35

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting - Can I Get the Case Dropped

    Quote Quoting PandorasBox
    View Post
    You need to talk to an Immigration Lawyer about your criminal charge and Immigration status.
    Agreed. Sorry, I can't help you with this one

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    154

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting - Can I Get the Case Dropped

    Uhhhh... doesn't the store have a policy regarding merchandise without tages? I know in some stores, if you return an item w/o a tag, the only thing a customer will get is store credit. I can't remember.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting - Can I Get the Case Dropped

    1. Is it possible to drop the case before the 1st time I have to appear in the court?
    Possible, but unlikely. It's more likely that you'll be entered into a diversion program.

    2. Can I travel out of country between the times I have to appear in the court?
    This is inadvisable.

    3. As I was told, in my situation (bachelor + admission to grad school + current work as an engineer) I would most likely get infraction or misdemeanor with further expungement. What is better for the future job?
    Better for your future job would have been to not steal. It's a little late to worry about that now.

    You can read about expungements here. It's not exactly a walk through the daisies.

    4. There is an option to continue to trial and to prove myself innocent. What are the odds for this?
    "Prove yourself innocent"? Are you kidding me? They caught you on camera. Chances? ZERO.

    5. How it might effect in receiving US citizenship?
    A single petty theft conviction is usually not enough to torpedo an application for citizenship. Do it again, though, and you'll be packed up and sent back to where you came from, as is right and proper.

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