Ask Me Help Desk - Im 18 and got caught for stealing. Please help me out, I'm going crazy!

Im 18 and got caught for stealing. Please help me out, I'm going crazy!

So yes I stole, and I know how wrong it is. I regret it not only because I got caught but because its against my religion. This could have all been avoidable but I did commit the crime.
The security guy said I am being sued by Winners and will get a letter in the mail any where from a week-3 weeks.
He said if I don't go to court on that day the police will track me down and have a warrant out for my arrest. Is that true?
After I get the letter do you know how long it would be till the court date? I'm supposed to being travelling over seas in three months. Will I be able to travel? I'm 18 so I don't have to being parents right? I already admitted to stealing in the store. This is my first offense, what could my consequences be? What is a division and will I be able to apply for one? I am just so nervous and feeling sick with guilt. Please answer with some helpful advice.

Where is this at. How things work vary by location.

Next were the police called to the store. Being "sued" is not being arrested. If they merely send you a letter asking for civil penalties ( money) you pay them the money they ask for and it is over.

If you don't appear at a civil hearing, you just lose and they come after you for the money.

If there is criminal charges and you don't appear at the court for them, a warrant is issued.

Sounds to me, like the secuirty guard was just laying to you about most of it, to scare you.
This is common to scare young people as part of the punishment and also to make sure they pay the civil penalty. Since they want the money from you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Where is this at. how things work vary by location.

Next were the police called to the store. Being "sued" is not being arrested. If they merely send you a letter asking for civil penalties ( money) you pay them the money they ask for and it is over.

If you don't appear at a civil hearing, you just lose and they come after you for the money.

If there is criminal charges and you don't appear at the court for them, a warrent is issued.

Sounds to me, like the secuirty guard was just laying to you about most of it, to scare you.
This is common to scare young people as part of the punishment and also to make sure they pay the civil penalty. since they want the money from you.

Thank you so so much for answering.
The cops did not come, he said when I go to the court hearing I will get finger printed. So even if I pay them the money id still have to go to court hearing? Will I be able to travel to Europe?

No you do not get fingerprinted at a court hearing. If they are going to get the police involved, you would have been given a date and time to go in for finger printing and photo, ( this is how some areas in Canada work. But that is not court it is just a booking process

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

No you do not get fingerprinted at a court hearing. If they are going to get the police involved, you would have been given a date and time to go in for finger printing and photo, ( this is how some areas in Canada work. But that is not court it is just a booking process

Okay so when he said all those dates will be mailed he was lying. Like trying to scare me?
If he wanted me finger printed he would have called the cops down to take me to the station? All that would be mailed is the money I owe them.
Also what is the money I owe them, is it for the stuff I stole? I gave back the stole merchandise.
Hope you don't think these are stupid questions, it's my first time!
Also thanks again for you help.

Most likely, as noted at times police are called and you are given a date and time to go get finger printed and photo'ed,

My guess a big scare tactic, but if you get a letter you go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Most likely, as noted at times police are called and you are given a date and time to go get finger printed and photo'ed,
My guess a big scare tactic, but if you get a letter you go.

Ok thank you. Is a lawyer a must since I already admitted to the crime and going to say I'm guilty? You don't think I could get jail time?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogers19

Ok thankyou. Is a lawyer a must since I already admitted to the crime and going to say I'm guilty? You don't think I could get jail time?

I think you are misunderstanding what's happened up to this point. The security officer told you that the police would not be involved unless you fail to py the store what they are asking for, right? So presently there are no criminal charges filed (and no civil suit yet either, evidently). You aren't getting jail time until and unless you are charged with a crime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK lawyer

I think you are misunderstanding what's happened up to this point. The security officer told you that the police would not be involved unless you fail to py the store what they are asking for, right? So presently there are no criminal charges filed (and no civil suit yet either, evidently). You aren't getting jail time until and unless you are charged with a crime.

What he said was that a letter in the mail will be mailed in three weeks and if I don't show up to the court date and finger printing there will be a warrant out for my arrest. And he made me sign a paper, something to do with summons. I honestly can't remember it doesn't even feel like it happened. He also said they could be sueing me and I have no clue what this all means.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogers19

.... And he made me sign a paper, something to do with summons. ...

And you didn't bother getting a copy of this "paper"? You are certainly not the brightest candle on the birthday cake, are you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK lawyer

And you didn't bother getting a copy of this "paper"? You are certainly not the brightest candle on the birthday cake, are you?

Okay no I realize that wasn't the brightest thing. I should have asked. I suppose.
He told me to sign and to get out. He called the police station to see if I had any offenses before and I hadn't.
Im pretty sure the paper was for summons.

Please help me out. Stressing over this too much!

I was told I'd get a letter in the mail about stealing. I still haven't got the letter. And I leave for Germany on August 1st. What happens if I get my letter in the end of June and my court date is set for after August. There is no way I can set back the date I leave because it is for my job. Can I call the police station and ask if they've gotten the report and if there is anyway to move up the court date?
I can't handle this stress!

Sometimes you can.. at least if you call you'll know what will happen if you can't move the date

Quote:

Originally Posted by danika86

sometimes you can..at least if you call youll know what will happen if you can't move the date

Thanks !

You won't call the police station when you get that letter. It will be up to the court as to when your court date is set. You or your attorney would have to contact the court and move to have the trial date change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_9

You won't call the police station when you get that letter. It will be up to the court as to when your court date is set. You or your attorney would have to contact the court and move to have the trial date change.

I can't afford a lawyer in going to the court by myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogers19

I can't afford a lawyer in going to the court by myself.

Try reading it again...

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_9

You or your attorney would have to contact the court and move to have the trial date change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinn7

Try reading it again....

Ahhh perfect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogers19

I was told I'd get a letter in the mail about stealing. I still haven't got the letter. And I leave for Germany on August 1st. What happens if I get my letter in the end of June and my court date is set for after August. There is no way I can set back the date I leave because it is for my job. Can I call the police station and ask if they've gotten the report and if there is anyway to move up the court date?
I can't handle this stress!

Is this a criminal charge for which you have previously been served process? Because if you haven't been properly served, they cannot order you to appear via a letter in the mail.

If you are properly served with notice of a hearing before you leave, you would arrange to have the hearing re-scheduled to either before or after your trip. As someone else has said, you do this by contacting the court, not the police.

And, obviously, you can contact the court now, even before you receive the letter, and make suitable arrangements.

Quick answers! Only have a week.

I just got a letter in the mail regarding the amount of money I need to pay for stealing. The lawyer from the store I stole from stated I could pay within a week or take it to court and there'd be court fees and all that. What happens if I pay the money, is it required of me go to a court hearing. And will I now have a criminal record?
I can make another question with the letter he sent me if you don't understand.

Please Help me out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogers19

I just got a letter in the mail regarding the amount of money I need to pay for stealing. The lawyer from the store I stole from stated I could pay within a week or take it to court and there'd be court fees and all that. What happens if I pay the money, is it required of me go to a court hearing. And will i now have a criminal record?
I can make another question with the letter he sent me if you don't understand.

Please Help me out.

My recommendation... BORROW the money from someone to pay it back NOW... it will only get a lot more expensive if you don't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothy

My recomendation.....BORROW the money from someone to pay it back NOW.....it will only get a lot more expensive if you don't.

Thank you very much! But I'm still wondering if I would have go to court, finger printing and get a criminal record.

If the letter says you can pay restitution OR take it to Court it means - either pay restitution OR the store will press charges.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogers19

Thankyou very much! But I'm stil wondering if I would have go to court, finger printing and get a criminal record.

Thank you thank you thank you! Can't thank you enough. I had so much stress about being able to fly out for my job! So in the long run it'd be better for me to pay.

You bet it would!

This goes along with my previous question!

"the retailer's right of civil recovery is separate and distinct from any criminal proceedings instituted by the police"

This incident happened on may 30th, would the police have contacted me by now to press charges ? Or will this later come...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogers19

"the retailer's right of civil recovery is separate and distinct from any criminal proceedings instituted by the police"

This incident happened on may 30th, would the police have contacted me by now to press charges ? Or will this later come...

Why didn't you post this IN your previous thread... how do we know which of the millions it was.. without having to research it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothy

Why didn't you post this IN your previous thread.....how do we know which of the millions it was..without having to research it.

I could not find my last question. It doesn't show up in my alerts.

Click on profile by your name... on the window that opens click on my profile... on the window that opens then look for find all posts started by Rogers19

There are two links, one for every post you answered and for every thread you started...