Shoplifting?

Question

okay please dont give me the whole your stupid and u shouldnt have done it thing...i realize that! Well i had no money n i needed things for skewl n stuff LONG story...well anyways i was in zellers and i took something from the shelf and returned it and then got money back on a gift card....i also took a bra and bought a pair of underwear my boyfriend opened a cd and took it and i put it in my purse for him...i got caught and im being charged with theft under $5000(what i took came up to $92) im not sure if im being charged for fraud because the lady that caught me said that i could be for doing the whole gift card thing but it doesnt say it on the paper i got. What am i looking at? jail time? This is my first time being charged and having to go to court is there any way to get pardoned from it because i really don't plan on doing it again. please help guys

Answer 1

You will not get let off just because you are not planing on doing it again. There are no do overs in the criminal justice field.

You will get charged with misdemeanor theft and that will get you a fine, probation and maybe some community service hours. If you are 18 or over, you are going to have a permanent record for life. And as long as this is your first ever offense, they just may put you in to a diversion program and then the conviction would not be on your record.

If the decided to charge you with Fraud for the gift card thing, it could be misdemeanor or felony. Defends how they charge you.

That's the best I can tell you for what you provided.

Answer 2

I really don't think that you will get any jailtime for $92 worth of stuff on a first offense. If it's not on the paper I'm assuming you won't be charged with it. I'm not going into the whole that was dumb thing because I been there and done that too when I was younger. How old are you? If you are a minor then the punishment will not be as serious. If you are an adult they will be a little harsher. I'm not sure if your theft charge is a felony or a misdemeanor without more info. but I figure you will wind up with probation. Since you are going to court and I'm assuming you cant afford an attorney, then you will be appointed one. If at all possible, try to talk to him/her and see if they know anything about it. good luck and I'm sure you've learned your lesson.

Answer 3

You are looking at a felony conviction that will be on your record for life. Theft is theft.

You think the judge is going to be able to see the sincerity in your eyes and look into your heart and say, "OK, be a good girl from now on?" Stealing costs everyone money! That is one reason prices are so high in stores these days. You know right from wrong. That is evident in this post.

Didn't plan it, but once you got started you took to it like a fish to water didn't you? You sound like a professional booster to me and likely will to the judge too.
Likely you'll get probation and some sort of restitution like community service. You'll deserve whatever you get.

Answer 4

In my opinion, you have three options. 1) go back to the store and ask the store manager not to charge you with theft 2) talk to your boyfriend and ask him if he might split the fine or 3) blame someone???but that wouldn't be very nice

I personally would try number one and then if that didn't work go for number two. Otherwise, just face the judge or something. There is a positive side to this. I mean you've obviously learned something and if it worries you, just sit back and enjoy doing stupid things, they make great stories later!!!!

Answer 5

Most likely you'll get fined for it and depending on the state probably be ordered to pay restitution for the items stolen. In most states if the items stolen are valued under 300-500 dollars it will be considered petty theft and will be considered a misdemeanor.

Answer 6

It really depends on your age and the laws where you live or were caught. If it's your first offense probably a fine, criminal record, community service. If you're under 18 probably not much.

I hope you learned a lesson. Nothing comes for free. Better stay in school dear.

Answer 7

If you got away with that, that would of been a really good scam. Not that I'm condoning it just pointing it out. Not sure about the American law but in London you don't usually get put in jail for that. A slap on the wrist usually and told not to do it again, from what I'm told.

Answer 8

The best thing to do is have humility and plead guilty. A public defender will more than likely work a deal where you pay a fine and get probation. You may have to go to classes for compulsive shoplifting. I just reported the sick piece of crap who told you to go be a prostitute!

Answer 9

It really depends on the state, the county, the prosecuter, the judge. your attorney, and how much money you have. I think you've learned your lesson. I hope things turn out okay and I'm sorry I don't have any words of wisdom. You will just have to wait and see what happens.

Answer 10

Judging by your grammar and overall air of naivety, you're still in high school. Seeing as you're a minor, you won't see jail time but will probably get slapped with a pretty hefty fine and/or community service.