Hi everyone. My girlfriend in trouble noW! She just told me a story that 5 years ago when she was 19, she stole ( shoplifting) some outfits from Macy's ( STATE MA) . It was her first time in America, she hardly spoke English. So anyway, whatever she was doing., she got caught. They put her in the room, the cops took her to a police, and made an appt. For her in court( really nice of them, ). They gave her a free lawyer who told her, she has no other way but pay like a triple amount in Fine. She paid about $700. Case been dismissed. She went back to her country. Now she is again in USA, having a husband and a baby. And a few days ago she gets a letter from a company representing Macy's , saying that Macy's proceed with a civil penalty claim against her. Amount she has to pay is $368.94. That's not a small money... I really want to help her, but don't know anything in this subject. Please, if anybody can help........she is wonderful person.
2007-11-24 10:26:47 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If there is anyway to avoid that fine? May be lower the amount? Any help would be appreciated.
2007-11-24 10:28:38 · update #1
Thanks for first answers....Please don't judge . Anyone makes mistackes in his life in a certain way. Looks like its a big compony. Here is a name: Palmer's , Reifler & Asstes.
2007-11-24 10:58:32 · update #2
The criminal case is separate from the civil penalty, so any fines arising from the criminal case have nothing to do with what Macy's is charging her now. (Think OJ Simpson. Not guilty in criminal court but still held responsible in civil.) Of course, if she disputes the penalty, which I would, then they would have to sue her in a civil court for a court to decide if she owes them. I doubt they would do this.
She should speak with them, tell them she can't pay, see if they waive it.
2007-11-24 10:43:45 · answer #1 · answered by mommybaby295 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the law.
Most States allow for such civil penalties.
She can fight it, but a word of warning - theft is a "crime of moral turpitude" which means that it makes the thief permanently excludable from the US. After pleading to a shoplifting charge, ICE shouldn't have let her back into the country.
However... they never hear about most minor cases. If she fights this civil penalty claim, though, Macy's lawyers "might" choose to notify ICE, in which case she'll be deported immediately.
Richard
2007-11-24 10:32:46 · answer #2 · answered by rickinnocal 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My husband had collection issues with a certain cell phone company a year or so ago. We paid the collection agency that called us, only to find out that they were not affliated in any way with this cellular company, and we still owed the debt. Just a small amount of advise, make sure that this company "representing" macy's is actually representing them.
2007-11-24 10:47:24 · answer #3 · answered by wild's 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She got more help in this country then she would in her own.. I have no pity for people that come to this great country and break the law. I don't blame people for wanting to come to this great county. Once they commit a crime see ya...
I would pay the fine and be done with it. A lawyer would cost more then the fine..
2007-11-24 10:42:18 · answer #4 · answered by Rick from california 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unless she did something again or before that at the store there is no reason why she should get that penalty claim. If she did do something her best bet is to pay the fine.
2007-11-24 10:37:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
This sounds like a scam for money.
2007-11-24 10:37:01 · answer #6 · answered by robert f 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋