I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

So on May 3rd I was caught shoplifting at The Bay. The store security arrested me and called the cops. The cops came then called my dad. After my dad came they told him about what happened and asked me and him to sign a 'Notice Prohibiting Entry' stating that I'm not allowed to go any HBC store for a year. Also I had to sign another form saying that I will have to pay a shoplifting fee including the amount I've stolen, the officer's time, damage to store and customers etc. Then they told me that I would received a letter from court and sent me home.

3 weeks later I received a letter from the sanctions program stating that I will have to attend a program and write an essay, if I attended the program and write an essay then gave it to them by Aug. 6th I will not have a record, I attended the program and finished the essay, and the people that worked in the program said that I will not have any record as long as I don't do it again.

I have a few questions to ask:

1. It's already been 3 months since The Bay told me that I would have to pay a shoplifting fee, but I haven't received anything yet. How long can it take and what's the possibility that they decided not to gave me the fine?

2. I stole 3 items worth of about $220, what's the maximum shoplifting fee that I can get?

3. Is there anyway to reduce or cancel the fee?

4. I have shoplifted at the same store before, what are the chances that they will go back to their security camera tapes and check if I have stole anything before?

5. If they do check, would I get another shoplifting fee or will I go to court or both?

6. If they check and found out that I stole from their store before, would they call the police and arrest me at my home or would they just tell the court?

I apologize for all the questions.. the meeting is in 2 days and I'm really anxious..

Thanks A Tons

E

There is no way to know how long it will take the store to contact you. They may wait until after you report back to the Court with your report. There is also no way to know what the fee will be - I have no idea what it costs them to arrest someone. You already agreed in writing to pay the fee - now you're going to try to get out of paying?

Stores don't keep security tapes forever - chances are they aren't able to go back unless they did catch you on tape and saved that particular tape in the event they saw you and could ID you another time.

Thanks for trying to answer my questions, Hun. I am hoping that you are right about the diversion. What I am afraid of is for the court to treat me as an adult, which is more severe than a youth. Cos a criminal record will f••K up most of my future plans. Wish me good luck. Btw I'm glad that you got the diversion. As for my court date and finger printing I am very nervous.