Alright, as much as it's shameful I do need to know what I might be facing.

I worked at 'The Bay' in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Some stupid stuff happened and I ended taking about $450 over the span of two weeks. I did this by using the receipt copies to do refunds for the cash, that way the til would balance at close.

I got caught doing this and I'm now being charged with 'Theft Under $5000'. I don't think the fact that I worked there matters, although it won't look good when applying for a new job.

I'm 18 years old, and this is my first offence. I've made an arrangement to pay back the money I did take from the store. The security person said that doing so would be beneficial to me.

What I do want to know is what I'm likely looking at for a sentence. I am pleading guilty, as I'm caught on tape doing the final transaction, and they have evidence pulled from their main computer. I don't know if I need any legal representation, as I am just going to plead guilty to this.

So guys, what am I most likely looking at for a sentence? Should I get some sort of lawyer or attourney?

Eternity Lost

What are the chances of a prison sentence?

Eternity Lost

No contest the same as pleading guilty?

Thanks for your quick answers.

Eternity Lost

So pretty much it's dismissing everything and just accepting a minor punishment, than?

I'll pretty much do whatever to not go to jail.

CaptainForest

Hello Eternity Lost,

The MAXIMUM sentence you can receive here in Canada for theft under $5,000 is 2 years in prison.

This being your first offence, PLUS the fact you are making restitution, you probably can get off without jail time.

Consider getting a lawyer, or at least go and talk with the Crown prosecutor and try to work some sort of plea bargain out.

excon

Hello:

DOGG took exception to my remark. Had he been polite, I would have politely corrected him. But, he's not polite, so I'm not going to politely correct him. I'm just going to correct him, because he's DEAD WRONG, and a jerk to boot.

Pleading no contest has nothing to do with whether or not somebody is convicted.

If somebody is convicted, how they plead has nothing to do with their record or the conviction.

excon

PS> (edited) Hmm. Seems the DOGG split. Oh, well.

ScottGem

I don't know what TheDogg's background is, but I would be careful following his advice. I would do a search here for Theft under $5000. There are several threads from people in a similar situation to you. Including some very good advice for first offenders.

The problem in your situation is that this wasn't a one time deal, but a systematic attempt to embezzle money. That might mean a judge going harder on you. But its still unlikely that you will get jail time for a first offense of petty amounts.

DO get an atty who will help you get the best deal they can.

By the way, a No Contest plea is usually taken by a judge as a guilty plea and sentencing is based on that. The No Contest plea is usually used when there is a possibility of a civil law suit. So the defendant does not officially admit guilt.

Eternity Lost

Captain,

You seem to know what you're talking about, as most of your posts over the past few hours.

What are the chances that jail time will be issued?

ScottGem

For ANY first offender, jail time is an unlikely option unless the crime is very serious and involves violence.

Eternity Lost

Thanks, Scott.

I will try to get a lawyer, although not too sure I can afford one. I'm sure you wouldn't recommend just going in blindly and pleading guilty from the start, right?