Hi,
Yesterday I was charged with theft (under $5000), I stole a cover up and a mascara. I am just wondering if anyone has any idea of what I am going to be charged with, and if you think that jail time will be give.
I am not entirely sure what the normal charges are, the goods I stole came to $23 dollars. I am really hoping that this will not result in jail time, but if anyone could fill me in on the typical charge for this that would be great.
I don't no if it makes a difference or not but I am going ot plea guilty because there is no point in pleeding not guilty considering they have it on video and saw me take the things. I was very upset about the whole situation and I am pretty sure they wrote that in the report, I'm not sure if that will make a difference either.
Also one more question, your record is cleared when you are 18 correct ?
(I am 17- so a young defender- a minor)
(I live in Ontario, Canada)
Thanks !

For a first-time offense and being a juvenile at that, I seriously doubt you'll get any jail time. Probably probation for a year, where you'll have to live under a set of strict guidelines, including no brushes with the law, regular school attendance and satisfactory academic progress (if you're still in school) and adhering to a curfew (one that's possibly stricter than what your parents would be inclined to impose.) You'll have to meet with a probation officer, probably monthly, who'll track your progress and prepare a report. At the end of the year, your probation will be finished and, I believe in Canada, since you were a juvenile at the time of occurrence, your record will be expunged. Now, since the theft was only $23, an alternative may be to negotiate with the store and offer to make full restitution (plus a little extra "interest") in exchange for them dropping the charges and your promise never to go in that store again. Then you won't have to go to court, won't have to plead guilty, won't have to be on probation and won't have to worry about a criminal record.

Thanks for your answer.
I am going to see if someone can go in for me (It was from Wal-mart),as I had to sign a agreement stating that I would not go on their property for 1 year or I can be charged with tresspassing.
So I am hoping that they will just let me pay them back, fingers crossed.

Has this happened to anyone else? Does any one have any experience with what they think will happen ?

Any more insight would be awesome !

Hi again,
I am also thinking of writing and email offering to pay for it and a little extra and then them drop the charges, does any one have any idea how to write this letter and what exactly to say ?

Hello kingston:

They're not going to drop the charges. They don't pay jillions for security just to let people go. How many people do you think will rip them off if they drop the charges and the newspaper prints it? Nope. You're going down.

Frankly, a letter like you're contemplating, would be insulting. Plead guilty, do your time, and don't steal.

excon

Anyone else ?

A major retailer like Wal-mart does not have sympathy for your mistake.

You might have been able to "work off" your mistake if you had stolen from a small business and the owner was willing to help you "learn a lesson". A major retailer like Wal-mart isn't interested in helping you - those signs around the store that say "we prosecute all shoplifters" are there because it's the store's policy, and they go through the routine quite often.

My best advice is to ackowledge to yourself that you made a mistake and undersatnd why stealing - even from a multi-billion dollar corporation - is wrong on a moral level. Fully admit to your guilt, and if you get the chance, explain your lapse in judgement and willingness to accept the punishment for your crime.

My sister and father both shoplifted. My sister stopped at her first arrest. She did not do jail time. My father continued the remainder of his life without remorse.

Its pretty easy to miss the wake up call by focusing on only what the consequences of getting caught are. It's a scary thing and I can appreciate you being upset. I have worked with people for whom this is an addiction. Its as horrifically sad in all the pain and damage it causes as any other addiction is. Whatever happens to you will have done little good if you don't learn the lesson.

Just some perspective to consider that I thought was topic related.

Get a lawyer.

If this is your first offence, odds are you can arrange to have no jail time.