PLEASE Help ME :( I was caught by a secret shopper at Zellers. For stealing a chocolate bar. I was sent to the back room with her, she called the police. When the police arrived she had tould him that she wasent going to banned me from the mall just at Zellers! ( for one year) The police officer tould me that he wasent going to charge me for criminal record. But he gaive me a $ 65.00 ticket ! And iav already paid the ticket its been 2 months now and I still haven't gotten or heard anything about Zellers if their going to charge me or not cuse I was tould that Zellers was going to make a decision whether to charge me. So I don't know because I haven't heard from them if I'm getting charged. I just want to be sure if I could still have a criminal record even though the officer said he wasent going to charge me but that he still gaive me a ticket what does that mean ? If there's anybody here to help me understand this...

It depends on the state, in Texas the citation is theft class C, it is just a fine because the item had to be $50 dollars or more in order to be classified as a serious offence. It will stay on your record as a class C theft. In other words, the citation will show on your records. Zellers will not press charges because a chocolate bar is less than one dollar. An attorney will be able to sponge it off your record. It is a misdemeanor, it is not something that can not be sponged out. I know of Attorneys that sponge DWI's after the
3rd or 5th year in Texas. If the crime was victim less, like in your case, it can be erased from your record, but you have to pay. Every state varies. In your situation, I know attorneys that will do it for about 300. But, then again I live in a small town border, where it is not too expensive. What state are you on? How old are you? I'm sorry this happened to you. It was something you didn't think will bring consequences. I'm in no position to judge you. I'm sure you will not do it again.

I'm not sorry you got caught. I am sorry that the worry about the consequences didn't stop you before you got caught. I don't know your age, but if you are a minor which I assume judging by what you stole, it probably won't follow you into adulthood. I don't think I would call Zellers about it because that might only remind them if they have forgotten about it. If you are an adult, I would look into asking an attorney about the issue.

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Originally Posted by pasiria

It depends on the state, in Texas the citation is theft class C, it is just a fine because the item had to be $50 dollars or more in order to be classified as a serious offence. It will stay on your record as a class C theft. In other words, the citation will show on your records. Zellers will not press charges because a chocolate bar is less than one dollar. An attorney will be able to sponge it off your record. It is a misdemeanor, it is not something that can not be sponged out. I know of Attorneys that sponge DWI's after the
3rd or 5th year in texas. If the crime was victim less, like in your case, it can be erased from your record, but you have to pay. Every state varies. In your situation, I know attorneys that will do it for about 300. But, then again I live in a small town border, where it is not too expensive. What state are you on? How old are you? I'm sorry this happened to you. It was something you didn't think will bring consequences. I'm in no position to judge you. I'm sure you will not do it again.

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Thank you soooo much I live in ontario canada so I have a criminal record? I'm sorry I am just so stressed out right now I'm crying ad shaking I know I did something so stupid and I hate myself for doing it :( and I will never ever ever ever! Do something sooo stupid again. And I well deffently call an attorney. And thank you for not judgeing me.

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Originally Posted by oneguyinohio

I'm not sorry you got caught. I am sorry that the worry about the consequences didn't stop you before you got caught. I don't know your age, but if you are a minor which I assume judging by what you stole, it probably wont follow you into adulthood. I don't think I would call Zellers about it because that might only remind them if they have forgotten about it. If you are an adult, I would look into asking an attorney about the issue.

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I agree with you. And thank you for your advice.

Check with the attorney. I have heard others on here tell about diversion programs in Canada that help and do not lead to a criminal record.

Thank you.

You got caught if your going to steal you make sure this doesn't happen.

Punishment should be taken like a man.

I have stolen stuff as petty as this but I was 7 and no camera and it was in the corner of the shop no one could see but that was my 1st and last time :)

And I am sure that's the case for you

From what I know from Canada's law---they are less strict than in Texas, with Texas being one of the most strick in traffic violations and other classification. An addiction to shoplifting can develop quickly when the excitement generated from "getting away with it" produces a chemical reaction. Thank God you got caught on time. You need to cry as much as you want. But, think about your very honest and remorsefull feeling. That tells me you are a sensitive person, who despite of doing something wrong, will admit to it, on this web site, risking the judgment of others. We all have done things that are wrong, but we learn from them. It's when we do it again that we have not learned. Please take a deep breath and think of tomorrow as bright. The past is gone, you can not change it, but you can change the way you think. Think of this as a great lesson and put it behind you. From now on, do things that make you feel good. Work hard and try to help others all the time.

Your right :) and I know its noting I can change what's done is done the only thing I want to do is try not to get a criminal record, I want to talk to a attorney about diversion programs, I really hope that can help me... because what I want to go into is PSW (Personal Support Worker) my dream is to work for the red cross and maybe oneday go to Africa Kenya to go there and help. Iav dreamed of going to Africa my whole life. You read me very well, I am a very sensitive person :( but I will diffently try to put this all behide me and learned my lesson. Thank you so much pasira your awsome :) u made feel a little bit better.

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Originally Posted by venezuela

But he gaive me a $ 65.00 ticket ! and iav already payed the ticket

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Hello v:

Zellers doesn't charge you. The police do. And they DID. You were charged. That's what the ticket was. You paid it, so you're done.
Do you have a criminal record?? You have a conviction for shoplifting, that's for sure.

excon

You paid your ticket. Just stay out of the store for a year and you'll be fine. And yes, you do have a shoplifting charge on your record.

A $65 ticket huh? That was a very expensive chocolate bar, but if it's really taught you a lesson than I think it was worth it. Now you know that every thing you do has consequences, and hopefully it won't ever happen again. Good luck.

I was caught stealing and now I'm charged with theft under 5,000,I have to go to court,what will happen cause I have no clue cause this is my first time lol I live in nova scotia canada

King-diamond687- your first and last I hope. I have never committed a crime but I have been the victim of a robbery, therefore I have very little sympathy for anyone who decides to take something that doesn't belong to them. I don't know you but your actions do speak volumes to me, as to what will happen to you, hopefully you'll be charged and you will learn a lesson and never do something like this (or any other crime) again. Good Luck.

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

King-diamond687- your first and last I hope. I have never committed a crime but I have been the victim of a robbery, therefore I have very little sympathy for anyone who decides to take something that doesn't belong to them. I don't know you but your actions do speak volumes to me, as to what will happen to you, hopefully you'll be charged and you will learn a lesson and never do something like this (or any other crime) again. Good Luck.

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First off I didn't tell you how I got charged lol one of my so called friends went to a store,he said he wanted to buy something so I should OK,he comes back with two energy drinks,one for me and him,he says he is going to have a smoke outside,few minutes later,a lady comes and brings me to the office and I'm charged with theft lol

:o If you had told me that to begin with I wouldn't have jumped down your throat. Get a good lawyer, although your story will be impossible to prove unless the store had video surveillance and your friend was caught on tape, or your friend confesses that he was the only one responsible. I am however not a lawyer and therefore any advice I give you is strictly my opinion and not fact. I do however think that you need a better class of friends. :) If what you say is true (I'm not saying I doubt you, I just don't know you) then I wish you the best of luck in clearing your name.

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

:o If you had told me that to begin with I wouldn't have jumped down your throat. Get a good lawyer, although your story will be impossible to prove unless the store had video surveillance and your friend was caught on tape, or your friend confesses that he was the only one responsible. I am however not a lawyer and therefore any advice I give you is strictly my opinion and not fact. I do however think that you need a better class of friends. :) If what you say is true (I'm not saying I doubt you, I just don't know you) then I wish you the best of luck in clearing your name.

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In fairness his first post did say he was "caught stealing."

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

In fairness his first post did say he was "caught stealing."

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Good point, I guess for once I didn't read between the lines. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by excon

Hello v:

Zellers doesn't charge you. The police do. And they DID. You were charged. That's what the ticket was. You paid it, so you're done.
Do you have a criminal record???? You have a conviction for shoplifting, that's for sure.

excon

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Isn't a ticket a fine ? What I don't understand is I NEVER (and its been 2 months now) received a piece of a paper telling when I have to go to court or I NEVER went to the police station to get my finger prints taken anthing like that. All I want to know is because I never received when I had to go to court or never went to the police station does that mean I still have a crinmal record ? And what does a conviction for shoplifting mean? Can I still traveling with a conviction for shoplifing?