Comments on: What happens if you get caught shoplifting?

By: Helen

Helen — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:57:56 +0000

Hello it’s Helen again, I wrote you on Jan. 21st about my incident with Walmart. Thank you so much Judge for your information, I did recieve the civil demand letter as you said I would. The letter stated that I had to pay 3 hundred dollars in 20 days and if I didnt pay there will be a warrant for my arrest! There is no way I can come up with that money. I spoke to an attorney and they told me not to pay it, that Walmart was just trying to scare me so that they can get money. I only attempted to steal about 50 bucks worth of stuff and the walmart employees took it back so its not like they lost their products. Now I understand that I have to pay for what I tried to steal and maybe a bit more so I’m willing to give 100, 50 for what I tried to steal and another 50 but I just cant afford 300. The attorney also told me that walmart will most likely not take me to court because it’ll just cost them more money and that I can not get arrested because there was never a police report made. Im not sure whats gonna happen. I am going to pay what I can afford to give them but will Walmart really take me to court or have me arrested for not giving them more money?
Dear Helen: Only a court can issue an arrest warrant. That means Walmart would have to press criminal charges and ask a judge to issue a warrant which isn’t likely based solely on failure to pay the civil demand. So, part of what you’ve been told is pressure tactics by Walmart. On the other hand, the store can attempt to press charges but it doesn’t happen often. Pay what you think is an appropriate amount and see if the store will accept it. Explain your financial situation and hopefully they’ll understand and close out the case. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:55:30 +0000

Thank you!

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:27:14 +0000

If my fines didn’t show up on Wisconsin circuit court will it show on a background check?
Dear Caitlin: It’s unlikely they’ll appear in a background check if there’s no record with the court. But glitches do happen so there’s no guaranty.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:42:25 +0000

I got caught stealing a $5 dollar shirt when I was 18. First and only time I ever stole. I had to go to court and I paid the fine on time. I am now 23. I’ve never shop lifted again and I don’t intend to ever do it again. I regret it more than anything. I applied for a job and she said she just has to do a background check and the job is mine. Will I get the job or will this stop me from getting it. The job is at a snack shop in a casino. I live in Wisconsin if that helps.
Dear Caitlin: Check with the court you were in to see if a record of this incident exists. If it does, ask about having your record cleared or expunged. You can also check the court’s website (many have them today) and see if you can apply for expungement online. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:45:29 +0000

Okay, so a year ago, I stole a dress from Walmart. I got a letter like 3 weeks later saying if I didn’t pay 150 dollars, the case would go to jail. Well, i paid the 150 dollars the next day and sent it to the place they told me to. Well, I was wondering if the “shoplifting case” would be on my record since I paid the 150 dollars and they dropped the charges? Thanks
Dear Nicole: If the police weren’t involved and you didn’t have to go to court, there isn’t a record that will appear on a background check or affect your life. The only record may be with the store for their internal purposes. For example, if you applied for a job there, they may discover the shoplifting incident in their records and decide not to hire you. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Jaz

Jaz — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:00:18 +0000

i have a question.if my friend stoled something and got caught and was banned for a year and then they shut down all of that store will it still be on her record?
Dear Jaz: If the police weren’t involved and she didn’t have to go to court, she doesn’t have a formal record to worry about. The only record would be with the store for their internal use. For example, if she applied to the store for a job, they may catch the shoplifting incident in their files. Since she was banned from the store, that may also be in the store’s database. If they have other stores, she should probably stay away from them until the ban is up. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: james

james — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:30:39 +0000

what happen when you go to court for the first time at 14 and you took an ipod will you go to jail
Dear James: Since this is your first offense, you may be eligible for what is called “diversion.” When you finish the diversion program, the charge will be dismissed and you won’t have a record. It’s unlikely that you’ll be sent to jail or juvenile detention this first time. But keep in mind that diversion is usually for first-time offenders only. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: reba

reba — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:09:52 +0000

A FRIEND OF MINE GOT CAUGHT SHOPLIFTING AT A WALMART IN LAS VEGAS..THIS WAS HER 1ST OFFENSE…SHE TOLD ME MAYBE THE TOTAL WAS AROUND $150..THE LOSS PREVENTION TOOK HER ID AND FILLED OUT SOME PAPERWORK..ALSO,SHE SAID THEY TOOK HER PHOTO..LOSS PREVENTION ALSO CALLED THE POLICE…MY FRIEND WAS VERY SCARED AND ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN..THEY TOLD HER SINCE THIS WAS HER 1ST OFFENSE THE POLICE WOULD PROBABLY ISSUE A TICKET AND THAT WALMART WOULD MAKE HER PAY A CIVIL AMOUNT..THE QUESTION I HAVE IS THAT AFTER AWHILE THE LP PERSON GAVE HER ID BACK AND SAID SHE WAS FREE TO GO..MY FRIEND ASKED WHY AND THEY SAID THEY COULD ONLY HOLD HER SO LONG..SO SINCE THE POLICE DIDN’T SHOW UP AND WALMART LET HER GO CAN THE POLICE STILL SEND HER A TICKET OR COME TO HER HOUSE AND GIVE HER A TICKET?? MY FRIEND LEARNED HER LESSON AND WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN…SCARED HER STRAIGHT..
Dear Reba: We’re glad your friend has learned from this experience. It is possible for her to receive a ticket in the mail, but unlikely. She may get a letter from the store or their lawyer requiring payment of a “civil fine.” Once that’s paid, the case is usually closed without further action. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:02:08 +0000

My 16 year old daughter was arrested on shoplifting charges lastnight while visiting her aunt. The police were called but she did not give them her ssn since she doesn’t know it. Her aunt signed as the responsible party, not sure why she would do that instead of insisting that the police contact me, which they haven’t yet. She was given some papers by the police, no court date listed. Also her aunt was instructed to call the police station with my daughters ssn. I refused to give the ssn to the aunt. If they do not have any of my information can i just ignore anything that her aunt receives until i receive something personally? Also, I’m punishing my daughter. I just don’t want here having a record though. Also, it is her first offense.
Dear Ann: Rather than ignoring any potential court dates or other notices from the police or store, it would be best to address the offense and any possible consequences. For example, if a notice from the court notifying your daughter of an upcoming court date is sent to her aunt and she misses her court date, a warrant could be issued. Your daughter may receive a civil fine from the store and once it is paid, that could be the end of the matter. If she ends up having to go to court, she may be offered a diversion program and given the opportunity to avoid a record. You may want to talk to her aunt and make sure she forwards any mail she receives to you or contact the police department with your contact information. Good luck to your daughter.
(This is information only – not legal advice.)

By: terrance

terrance — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:53:10 +0000

in 2005 i received my drivers license. i was asked to take a co-worker home while i was on the clock by my boss. at this time i did not own a vehicle. my boss gave me the keys to his van. i asked him if he had insurance he said yes. my co-workers home was less than 15 mins away. couldnt say no to a paid break. i was pulled over 2blks from her house when i was pulled over for a crack in the windshield. i gave the officer my license and insurance card. then he said your insurance has expired do you have a new one. couldnt find one in the car. i was issued 2 tickets 1. for the crack in the windshield 2. for no proof of insurance. the officer told me that i needed to appear in court with proof of ownership, insurance, and repair of the vehicle. none of these things i could prove the vehicle didnt belong to me. i asked my boss to go to the court date because who better to prove those things than him its his car. he didnt go and my license was suspended every since. how can i fix this issue. this puts a brick wall on everything i want to do. i have a degree and cant use it because i cant drive. what can i do to fix this situation. i have extremely limited funds.
Dear Terrance: You need to go into your local Department of Motor Vehicles to find out what you need to do in order to get your license reinstated. You may need to pay a fine to the court, and even though it wasn’t your car and ultimately should be your former boss’s responsibility, you may need to pay it if you want your license back. You also could contact the court to find out what needs to be done to clear up the issue and ask how you can challenge the ticket since it wasn’t your car. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice.)