Hey... I'm very confused and scared and just need some advice... So my story - Today I got caught stealing and was charge for theft under 5,000 and possession of stolen property - this was my first AND SWEAR TO G*D LAST TIME!! BY THE WAY I'm 20 and this happened in the YORK REGION. I've been a petty theft for awhile; it started mainly 2 years ago. Money's been real tight with my dad passed away and not leaving us any money; my mom is in her 60's she had cancer and she doesn't know English so she couldn't really work. EVEN if she found a job I wouldn't want her to work! And employment had been real hard lately - I recently just got a job like 2 months ago. I know these are still not an excuse for me to do what I did... but I did it and nothing can change it; BUT I LEARNED MY LESSON I SWEAR... anyways here's my story...

So I was window shopping and decided to steal some stuff... I got caught for stealing at Shopper's and the security (LP) there had a chat with me. I basically cried and everything I am very VERY remorseful and embarrassed and just in distraught about it. I KNOW stealing is bad and especially for my future career, with in aviation - DEFINITELY NOT GOOD WHAT SO EVER. I know I know and no excuse can justify what I did was wrong. The police came and talked to me, we all handled it calmly... I told them I stole and bought some stuff... I gave back things I've stolen from Shoppers and the two other stores ALTOGETHER not totaling more than 75 dollars. They basically gave me a court date, and a date for finger print and mug shot... I came clean and told them everything - but like TV shows they want to know bigger stuff like drug trafficking and stuff... I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT DRUGS... I just know some people who smokes weed and they said that its not as important as heavier drug users - I said I don't know and they believed me at the end... when I asked more about what's going to happen and stuff, they said that they highly doubt that I'll get convicted but there is a chance - he didn't say this but I KNOW this is my first time ever getting caught AND LAST TIME! The cop just told me to NEVER steal EVER AGAIN and I SWEAR I NEVER WILL - he said they could have let me go but because they found other items from 2 other stores that there was no way... and I understand cause it's their job or me... and I was the one who was wrong in the first place- like I shouldn't have to had this experience to wake me up but I known now and I'll never ever steal ever again...

I read a lot of different stories - pretty much same act and issue and I read many replies but I just wan to confirm... I'd really appreciate it


But the more important thing is what might happen to me? Like if I'm convicted... what happens to me and my record? Will I never be able to get a job again? Is it erasable?

What happens if I'm not convicted? Does it still stay on my record? Can I clear my record after some time?

I researched more about this and saw something called a diversion program - is that good? Can I do that?

I'm too poor to afford a lawyer and I don't want to fight it because ei know I was wrong - I was caught red handed and I learn my lesson you know, I just want to get this done and over with least impact on my file as possible... BEST WOULD BE NO IMPACT BUT YOU KNOW a lesson LEARNED the hard way and through court and stuff... But, So what do I do guys and what going to happen to me?


Thank you so much for reading, I'm sorry I rambled so much, thank you especially replying - I really appreciate you're input and help!

BY THE WAY I'm 20 and this happened in the YORK REGION

Hi, I would just like to know what happened with your case? I'm going through the same thing right now, I have a court meeting to go to and a finger print that I need to get done. I'm freakin out because I'm basically in the same shoes as you. I'm enrolled in a healthcare program and its going to ruin any of my chances of getting a decent job if I get a criminal record. Will you let me know how did yours turn out?