Help! ive been arrested for sholifting and I dont know what the effect is?

kosm

Always, always always get a lawyer. They will advise you. You will enter a not guilty plea at your arraignment (more than likely). I highly doubt you will go to jail at all. You'll have a fine of not more than $500.00, probably $300.00. You'll likely get 6 months of district court probation. Do not get in trouble ever again and in a few years, you may be able to get this expunged from your record.

BUT, get a lawyer ASAP

Thomas

I agree with those who say you need a lawyer. When I was 18 (seems a long times ago - when did I get so old?) I did some stupid things, not shop lifting but traffic crimes. The guy ahead of me in court did not have a lawyer and was charged with basically the same thing I did. He lost his license for 6 months and ended up with 6 points and a 1500 dollar fine. I had lawyer and kept my license, paid only 500 dollars, and got no points. A lawyer is always a good idea even though it will cost some money.

Hang in there. I know you feel stupid but there are not many of us who didn't do a shabby thing or two in our youth even though most of us got away with most of it. The pain fact is that most people generally do not judge a teenager for life because they do something stupid - Our own pasts remind us that youthful folly is not an indication that you will turn out to be bad person. You will turn out all right if you learn from your mistakes and it sounds like you have.

I do suggest that you NEVER have anything to do with that group of "friends" who encouraged you down the wrong road. They are TROUBLE. No real friend would ever lead you astray like that.

Best of luck in the future.

Cappo359

Odds are you'll get probation and a fine, but you really need to have a lawyer. Assuming that you're in the U.S.A. and can't afford one, they will give you a public defender and I think that Britain and the British commonwealths have a similar set up.

Good luck.

Khanh T

if you are found guilty of petty theft, you could get probation and community service.

sweetz123

you can get fined pretty bad by the store and have to pay a lot of money,and maybe some jail time it depends on the judge.real embarrassing crime if you ask me though.sux 2 be you.

Jaeclue

Go kick out a few dollars and get a lawyer. They have many tricks. Don't listen to bunch of folks that say you don't need a lawyer. Run their names and see how many conviction they have. I learned the hard way..I'm no angel either, but will get a lawyer even for seat belt ticket now. The courts will run you around the block at full speed. Plus the prosecutor is a lawyer.

lightstars32084

Calm down and take a deep breath. You need an attorney. You can talk to a Public Defender for free. Never Plead guilty. Research on the web for attorneys, free legal aid,etc. You should google the usual punishment for such a crime. Google shop lifting charge etc. Beware of unscrupulous lawyers as well. Make sure you get a written contract. Never pay by the hour pay the attorney by the job. Pay in segments. Interview several attorneys. You should be fine with a Public Defender, (State Appointed "free" Attorney), since it is a small theft charge. Good Luck.

trosonn

Well you are should not get in that much trouble because it's your first affence. Just say that you did it and pay the fine.

inbigtrouble

if you have never been in trouble before you will probably have to just pay a fine and you will not be allowed back in the store for a year. No jail time, and dont worry about the lawyer just tell the judge the truth. You stole it and you must be ready for the consequences.

KELLY L

I got arrested b4 for shoplifting makeup in Target (less than $30 worth). I got caught and they called my family to come get be at the police station. Fortunately, I was only 17. My family paid the fine of $100 and I was free to go home. I didn't have to go to court then, but it did show a scratch when I wanted to become citizenship. I went back to the police station and they had no record. So no record at all.

I know for a fact that you won't get jail time, just because of the amount and being your first time offense. It'll definitely be a small fine and a slap in the hand. They would always tell you that misdemeanor will get you jail time, like maximum of 1 year blah... (it's actually up to 1 year). They're usually very easy on first time offense. I would suggest that you look up on the internet for criminal lawyers around your area. Some will give you free consultation with good advice. Good luck to you.

p c

Where are you from? Just go back to your country and never come back... After 5 years nothing will happen to you.

James Watkin

You are not honest. Honest people do not steal. You are far from honest. And no judge in the world cares what your friends think of you. You have already proven how honest you are.

And, you have no learned your lesson. Not once did you say that you were totally to blame. You passed the blame off on to someone's shoulders, not yours. Your friends made you do it excuse is just another example of you being irresponsible.

I think you should re-evaluate your life and why you would even associate with losers who think that stealing is okay. You are part of the reason that prices are higher than they should be. People like you cost honest people like me money. Stores have to pay for loss prevention and security and pass the cost along to the consumer. So, it wasn't about 30 dollars. It was about the fact that you think you are entitled to take something that is not yours.

It is easy to pull the trigger on a gun too. So, if someone were to walk up to you and shoot you and say in court 'My friends told me how easy it was to do' that would be ignorant. And if that person brought these same friends in to account for his trustworthiness or reliability, do you think the judge would take them seriously? Not at all.

And when you are sentenced to whatever, it will be on your record. And in the future when you apply for a job, they are less likely to hire a thief. But hey, at least you still have your loser friends.

PS- All criminals say they will not commit crime again. The prison system is full of repeat offenders who have said the same old thing you have. Words mean nothing. Change your life for real and then the judge might cut you some slack.

Lux

I used to shoplift from there all the time, and it actually used to be easy!! Then of course they caught on so now they're extra careful. Don't shoplift you will always get caught in the end!!

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