Hi, I'm very sorry for asking this question again, since I noticed there have been a lot of the same questions asked, but I would still need to be certain if possible. Today I was caught stealing some clothings from H.B.C in Canada, Ontario, Toronto. This is my first time being caught and right now I'm very upset and feeling guilty. Anyway, the total price of the goods stolen cost around $100 dollars. And the cop told me that I ll be charged for theft. I received the green sheet from the officer stating that I was required to show up at the police station and the court room. And.. hiring a lawyer for me is out of the question due to the finanical problems. What are the chances of me having a criminal record? I really need to have a clean background since I ll be leaving the country in less than 2 years. Will I be kept within Canada if there is a criminal record? Please help! Any advice would be good!

Please help, someone!

Hello cool:

If you came to us telling us that you were sick and about to die, but that you couldn't afford a doctor, what would you expect us to say?? Drink juice and take aspirin??

No, sick people need doctors. People charged with crimes need lawyers. Can you tell me what happens to sick people who DON'T go to the doctor?? The same thing happens to criminals who DON'T hire lawyers.

excon

To add some more specific details in further assiantants for myself and for your convenient, I was caught with tools brought from home in my bag for the stealing(but the tools were never used since it didn't require me to), but I was not charged for that. The tools were photographed and the cop in a polite way saying that I'm most likely going to be given a absolute discharge. Is this going to have a big effect on my chances of getting alternative measure? Im planning on seeing a lawyer today since I think my case would become abit more difficult to pull off with absolute discharge.

Hello again cool:

You say you had tools and the cops took a picture. That means, even though this is the first time you've been caught, you've been doing this a long time. The cops know that. This isn't a crime of opportunity. This was a well planned out crime.

I think you're in trouble. I don't think you're going to get discharged at all. Why do you think you would?? The cops said so?? Right!

excon

If absolute discharge is not possible, then what about alternative measure? I've written up my letter of applogy for the officer and the hudson bay company. This is my second time in shoplifting in the HBC. Would you have any advice in term of getting out of jail and staying out of criminal record? Would they reconsider of putting criminal record on me if I'm a university student? Would the ltter of applogy do me any good if I bring it also on the court? Because to be honest, believe it or not, I'm feeling very guilty right now and I would not ever commit a crime again in my life...

Hello again, cool:

Of course you feel guilty. You got caught. I promise you, if you had gotten away with it, you wouldn't be feeling guilty. So, save your apology BS for the psychiatrists couch. I don't care. And, I don't believe it either.

More importantly, the cops don't care. Being sorry and writing your letter ISN'T going to DO anything. Don't you think they've encountered people like you before??

What WILL DO SOMETHING, is a lawyer. Period - end of story.

excon

First, since you seem to have read other similar posts, you really should know what we will say.

Second, there is no way for us to predict what a prosecutoir or judge will do. But the fact that you have been caught before, though maybe not charged and the fact that you apparently went to the store planning to steal is not going to sit well with the courts.

As for your leaving the country, a criminal record won't stop that. In fact they will be happy to get rid of you. The only thing that will stop it, is if you are in jail.

I was not arrested nor caught before.. this is my first offense, but yet I was found with tools, I have already called an lawyer and a meeting is held in a few days. Hopefully an ideal resolution would appear.

Also, is there any way I can settle this before court? The biggest concern is leaving a criminal record on my file. I really need help or any advice in not having a criminal record...

Im a resident of China, if I leave Canada, would I be able to enter Canada again after with a criminal record? Im also a citizen of Canada, a Canadian.

Thank You

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hkcoolman

I was not arrested nor caught before.. this is my first offense,

---

By your own admission this isn't your first offense, just the first time you were caught.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hkcoolman

Also, is there any way i can settle this before court? The biggest concern is leaving a criminal record on my file. I really need help or any advice in not having a criminal record...

---

That would be up to HBC, your attorney can try to negotiate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hkcoolman

Im a resident of China, if i leave Canada, would i be able to enter Canada again after with a criminal record? Im also a citizen of Canada, a Canadian.

Thank You

---

That's up to Canadian immigration.

Anyway, I'm posting this since my case has been done with the lawyer, but this is only to help others who are in needs as of earlier today for myself. But I will not go into specific since the information are confidential.

Seeking the lawyer would really be the most ideal thing to do, since we as in anyone on this website are not fully informed with the law, at least that is the feeling I've been receiving when I seek help from here. A lawyer would in anyway have your best favour, but one thing is certain, it is costly, but yet worth it. I was guaranteed from the professionals that I would walk out the court with no record of the police and no criminal record at all, which was a big relief for myself. That is the most specifc I can go since I would need to prevent myself from having any sort of statement against me when on the court. Also, never answer any questions asked by the authorities or what so ever besides your lawyer, since anything you say to them would only put you in further trouble since they 100% are going to use it against you on the court. I ll explain every single details on here once I'm finished with the court. Good luck and Don't worry so much!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hkcoolman

Hi, im very sorry for asking this question again, since i noticed there have been alot of the same questions asked, but i would still need to be certain if possible. Today i was caught stealing some clothings from H.B.C in Canada, Ontario, Toronto. This is my first time being caught and right now im very upset and feeling guilty. Anyways, the total price of the goods stolen cost around $100 dollars. And the cop told me that i ll be charged for theft. I received the green sheet from the officer stating that i was required to show up at the police station and the court room. And.. hiring a lawyer for me is out of the question due to the finanical problems. What are the chances of me having a criminal record? I really need to have a clean background since i ll be leaving the country in less than 2 years. Will i be kept within Canada if there is a criminal record? Please help! Any advice would be good!

---

You were given and appearance notice. You must get a lawyer (legal aid) If this is a first time offence, you will likely get a suspended sentence or dismissal or short probation. But get a lawyer who will argue for you that you intend to leave the country in the future, etc. the states might not let you in, but usually its only for violent offences not property crimes. The store will likely charge you civilly anyway. If there is a conviction, you can get a pardon after 5 yrs. Sometimes you can get one sooner to have the record wiped clean. If you are a youth, it should not show up on a criminal check after 2 yrs.