Hello,

I work at walmart and the store right beside it sells healthy lunchs and I was going there every single day and buying lunch, when one day I was so tired and out of it because I am actually going to university to be a personal trainer and my mind and body was just so tired that I zoned out and completely forgot to pay, as soon as I got out side I thought I didn't pay and I stopped and was turning around when they grabbed me on the shoulder. I was 100% respectful and understood how they could think I was shoplifting I was respectful to everyone including the police officer and they let me go with a court date. I know I won't get any jail time because the retired police officer that now is the security guard at my work told me that there is no way I would get jail time, it is my first offence and it was 8 dollars work of well my lunch lol I just want to know if its possible that I could get off with nothing, I'm going to tell the truth and I 100% realise stealing is wrong. But I actually did not do anything. Thank you very much for your time

I was also working full time training at the gym for 3 hours a day than going home and doing school until 2 am to get up at 7 for work so that's why I was tired

This is not a big deal, they will dismiss the charge for sure, you will be fine, Don't worry

I will assume this is Canada ? They should have a first offender program ( if it goes that far) I would get an attorney to see about getting it dismissed.

Thanks guys, I was worried about it at the beginning but I don't really think that I should worry considering I did nothing wrong, also the manager who grabbed me, called my manager and told him and I thought that was illegal and ever since my bosses have been rude and horrible to me. Will I be OK if I go by myself? My court date is in less than a week, and yes sorry it is in Canada

No matter how tired you are it is against the law to walk away without paying. I realize you don't think you did anything wrong but apparently the Police think you did.

Your bosses are being rude and horrible because they think you are a thief.

Yes, go to Court by yourself. FrChuck is right. Ask - depending on the Province - to take part in the diversion program.

Actually the Police even said that the store owner was over reacting. And I realise its illegal that's why I didn't put up a fight.. did you not read what I said. Its not like I pocketed anything and I know for a fact majority of people out there have accidentally walked out of a store and than turned around to go pay, like I was just about to do, the police and loss provention guy at my work said if I was a couple years older they would have believed me but since I'm 19 they didn't.

Actually the Police even said that the store owner was over reacting. And i realise its illegal thats why i didnt put up a fight.. did you not read what I said. Its not like i pocketed anything and i know for a fact majority of people out there have accidentally walked out of a store and than turned around to go pay, like i was just about to do, the police and loss provention guy at my work said if i was a couple years older they would have beleived me but since im 19 they didnt.


That's odd - I actually work with the Police (I'm an investigator) and I don't know for a fact that a majority of people who "accidentally walk out" without paying don't get charged. Where did you get these statistics?

If the Police and loss prevention "guy" said you were charged because you were 19 (and not older) you have a lawsuit against both the shop AND the Police for a civil rights violation. By all means go forward with that. It shouldn't be very hard to pull the arrest records and then subpoena them to testify. Hire an investigator to assist you.

And, yes, I read what you posted.

No you misunderstood me I said that majority of people walk out of a store without paying and turn around I know that everyone I have asked has done that in there life, I totally understand that its not legal to leave a store without paying, but I just really hope all goes well for me considering I had no intenstion of stealing. Thanks for your posts though

And I honestly have nothing against the store, because they were doing there job, they saw a person leave without paying. I just find it a little silly that they didn't ask for my side of it, and I think that has to do with my age personally

Then get evidence, as I suggested, and sue based on age discrimination.