Hi everyone
So I am looking for some advice. I am 21,committed a theft under 5000 few days ago for the first time- don't ask me what I was thinking cause I wish I was thinking! I took items amounting to $70.00. The Loss prevention of the store called the police and made me sign a few documents. Basically, the documents ban me from the store for 1 yr and the mall for 1 yr as well. They also mentioned that I will receive a letter in the mail asking me to pay the store the cost of their time and damages etc. I asked for the amt, they said it'll be around $480.00. I can pay that amt but I hope they don't keep asking me to pay them on account of them being able to sue me. The police came and asked me why I did it and I told them I wasn't thinking. I work at a bank and am really ashamed to talk to anyone about all this. This site seemed appropriate, can someone please tell me what to do. The police has given me a fingerprint date and a court appearance date. I asked the cop to give me alternate measures but he said I might not attend the program or something so he doesn't want to. My court date is on March 28,08-Help advise the best action. I don't want a criminal record, I want to move up in the bank or go into law and it will affect everything in my life.

Hi everyone
So I am looking for some advice. I am 21,comitted a theft under 5000 few days ago for the first time- don't ask me what I was thinking cause I wish I was thinking! I took items amounting to $70.00. The Loss prevention of the store called the police and made me sign a few documents. Basically, the documents ban me from the store for 1 yr and the mall for 1 yr as well. They also mentioned that I will receive a letter in the mail asking me to pay the store the cost of their time and damages etc. I asked for the amt, they said it'll be around $480.00. I can pay tht amt but I hope they don't keep asking me to pay them on account of them being able to sue me. The police came and asked me why I did it and I told them I wasn't thinking. I work at a bank and am really ashamed to talk to anyone about all this. This site seemed appropriate, can someone please tell me what to do. The police has given me a fingerprint date and a court appearance date. I asked the cop to give me alternate measures but he said I might not attend the program or something so he doesn;t want to. My court date is on March 28,08-Help advise the best action. I don't want a criminal record, I want to move up in the bank or go into law and it will affect everything in my life.


I wouldn't handle this myself - I would hire an Attorney. You are talking about the rest of your life here - you are going to have to get around signing what probably was an admission of guilt.

It sounds like the store and the mall aren't joking around.

Yes, I think I want legal help but I don't know if I can afford a lawyer. Either way , don't I still end up with a criminal record? That's one thing I can't have, I plan on going into law school or even moving up in the bank and it will cost me all I have. I pay for school through my job and can't lose it.

I'm willing to pay fines and do community service - alternate measures as long as I don't get a record.

Yes, I think I want legal help but I don't know if I can afford a lawyer. Either way , don't I still end up with a criminal record?? That's one thing I can't have, I plan on going into law school or even moving up in the bank and it will cost me all I have. I pay for school through my job and can't lose it.

I'm willing to pay fines and do community service - alternate measures as long as I don't get a record.


There are no guarantees concerning the criminal record. That's the "beauty" of an Attorney who might be able to make things go away through negotiation, negotiate a fine and/or community service. Something this minor should not affect your ability to get into law school or pass the ethics part of the Bar; I have no idea what the bank would think.

Wish I had a guarantee of a result for you but I don't.

There are no guarantees concerning the criminal record. That's the "beauty" of an Attorney who might be able to make things go away through negotiation, negotiate a fine and/or community service. Something this minor should not affect your ability to get into law school or pass the ethics part of the Bar; I have no idea what the bank would think.

Wish I had a guarantee of a result for you but I don't.


I know,I guess its just a matter of finding a good attorney who is not super expensive. Such a huge cost to pay for something so not worth it, if only I had stopped to think of the cosequences for 10 seconds...

I know,I guess its just a matter of finding a good attorney who is not super expensive. Such a huge cost to pay for something so not worth it, if only I had stopped to think of the cosequences for 10 seconds...



Do you qualify for legal aid, some type of legal assistance through school?

NO , I dn't think so anyway. Moreover, I'd rather keep my school out of all this