I have done something very bad...i am 16 and shoplifted from 3 different stores..1 store i stole $12 worth of things...walmart i stole $21 and meijer $25 worth of things....i am turning myself in...when i do so, will i have to pay a fines even though i am turning myself in? Does anyone also know these stores shoplifting policies? i just feel so much guilt and am very embarrassed.
2007-06-26 12:14:30 · 15 answers · asked by mallory 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Honesty can go a long way. You may just walk away lucky if the store managers respect that honesty. Lying about to the store manager isn't called "maturity."
2007-06-26 12:25:15 · answer #1 · answered by Jose 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not a lawyer, but I do know a little about what can happen. Whether or not you turn yourself in, it is up to each store to decide whether to call the police and file charges. If you are lucky , they may not, but they may forbid you to enter the store again. If they do, it is up to the District Attorney to decide whether to file charges. Shoplifting can carry jail time, theoretically, in California, you could be charged with 3 separate crimes, and each additional crime can add to your sentence. Turning yourself in and returning or paying for the items you took may lead the stores not to file, or the DA to lessen the charges. You have a lot of courage. You've made a mistake, but now you are taking responsibility for it. Thats a big thing. Making ammends is the best way to feel better about yourself again. Don't hang on to these feelings after you have made up for your actions. They will just make you feel bad, when you really will have a new beginning..
2007-06-26 12:31:16 · answer #2 · answered by atbremser 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't get caught and arrested and charged, what is you problem? Guilt? Come on now, if I were you I wouldn't turn myself in, because if you do your criminal history record will be trashed for a long, long, time. OK, you feel guilty - take stuff back to the three stores one at a time and tell them you FOUND the merchandise in the parking lot and wanted to turn it in. Who is going to know. THEN DON'T EVER DO IT AGAIN!! That is called maturity!
Another way to deal with this guilt is to donate money to a good cause - the amount you stole. That way some good can come from your mistake. Walmart, and Meijer are extremely wealthy. They aren't going to miss the bucks - but you would have your record trashed for life - it just isn't right. Just learn from the experience and don't ever do it again!!!
2007-06-26 12:25:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
As a Pastor, I would tell you turning yourself is NOT going to make you feel any better and it's not going to help the store you stole from. However if you do turn yourself, it would make the courts lots more money. The courts aren't concerned with your feeling or right or wrong their main driving force is only to make money, nothing else. If you are in fact a theft, you should be ashamed. You should repent, repent means stop stealing and lying, they go together you know? You don't have to earn forgiveness, it's paid for. No more stealing!!!!! OK. Prison is not a fun place, and you do not want to go there, to live! The Pastor
2007-06-26 12:37:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't go to the stores; I'd go to the police. They might be able to intervene on your behalf and persuade these retailers to drop any potential charges. It's a risk you'll take, but - even if you end up paying a fine or serving time - you'll be better for it in the long run. Godspeed! -RKO- 06/26/07
2007-06-26 12:26:37 · answer #5 · answered by -RKO- 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say keep it and send a money order to the store with an anonymous letter explaining what you did.
DO NOT PUT YOUR ADDRESS OR NAME ON THE MONEY ORDER!
Pay for the stuff and never do it again. You are lucky you didnt get caught. Well, actually no your not lucky, it is easy to steal. The odds are just that you will get caught eventually.
2007-06-30 10:44:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to tell what their policy's are. It was wrong for you to steal from them, and hopefully they look upon your apology and turning yourself in as a good thing. You may have to give back the items , or pay for them, And hopefully , you have learned that guilt is a heavy burden. Good luck to you , you are making an good decision.
2007-06-26 12:25:26 · answer #7 · answered by fuzzykitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't turn yourself in!!! It's like volunteering for a criminal record, and once you have one of those there are so many doors closed for the rest of your life that you'll regret it forever. Have counselling, ask the police for advice on how to resist the temptation to steal, do anything but don't turn yourself in. Learn to resist the temptation to steal, it will probably pass anyway. You do not want to find yourself temptation free with a self inflicted criminal record.
2007-06-26 12:31:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'll be given a trespass warning by them or the police and will not be able to go back into those stores. I know that's WalMart's policy.
2007-06-26 12:26:26 · answer #9 · answered by California Street Cop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need advice from people who understand your specific problem and can advise you wisely. You will not get that here. Here you get opinions. Try the web sites below.
There may even be a shoplifters anonymous in your town check
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Shoplifters+Anonymous&btnG=Google+Search
or go to google,com and enter "Shoplifters Anonymous" you can use the quote marks although you will get plenty of information without them.
DON'T GET A LIFE TIME CRIMINAL RECORD FOR BEING A STUPID KID.
2007-06-26 19:51:49 · answer #10 · answered by Bullfrog21 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋