Ask Me Help Desk - First Offense Petty Theft, I have a couple questions regarding the matter

First Offense Petty Theft, I have a couple questions regarding the matter

I got caught stealing about $51 from a store in Maryland earlier today. They took me to an upper office, took my picture, took a picture of the merchandise, told me I was banned from all stores across the country and told me that I would be receiving a court summons later in the mail at some point in time. They made me sign two documents, one was the one where I was banned from all chains across the country, and the other one was one that said that I took the merchandise with the intent to shoplift it. Looking back now, I guess it wasn't the wisest choice to sign that second one on the spot, but I was scared and I didn't think of the consequences of signing that document

I'm 18 right now, and I'm weeks away from sending my college/scholarship acceptance. I really don't know what to do right now. My family really isn't in the financial position to hire a private lawyer, so I guess I'll be going with a public defender. I'm currently looking everywhere on the internet on the possible consequences for a first time offender, with my main goal being to keep my record clean. I'm willing to do any number of community service hours to do so, along with attending any programs needed, as long as it doesn't go onto my record. I have a couple questions regarding the matter.

1. How likely would I be able to keep my record, as an first offender adult, clean?

2. Should I contact the office of the public defender now? If not, when should I?

3. Would the news of this incident be given to my highschool/prospective college/internship, even if I haven't gone to court yet?

Any other advice on how to proceed from here on would be greatly appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKT_Kal

2. Should I contact the office of the public defender now? If not, when should I?.

Hello S:

Do NOTHING. You haven't been arrested. There are NO charges against you. Don't go poking around. IF they file charges, or arrest you, SAY NOTHING. If that happens, check back here for further instructions...

But, it AIN'T going to happen.

excon

Well then, what should I do when I go to court? Should I just go alone, without a lawyer? Will one be appointed to me there? Do I even need one for such a minor offense? Do they offer diversion programs to adults or is it just for minors?

Eh, sorry for all the questions, I just don't know what to expect when I go to court.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKT_Kal

I got caught stealing about $51 from a store in Maryland earlier today. They took me to an upper office

Hello again, S:

If "they" WEREN'T the cops, then you weren't arrested and aren't going to court. If you receive something in the mail, check back with us... But, you won't.

excon

Well "they" were just the loss prevention staff, but they called the cops and one guy arrived. He wrote down the incident some yellow sheet which contained the details of the event, and handed me a copy of it and told me to give that to my lawyer, and that they'll know what to do with it.

He's the one who told me that I would get something in the mail regarding my court date.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKT_Kal

Well "they" were just the loss prevention staff, but they called the cops and one guy arrived. He wrote down the incident some yellow sheet which contained the details of the event, and handed me a copy of it and told me to give that to my lawyer, and that they'll know what to do with it.

He's the one who told me that I would get something in the mail regarding my court date.

I think you have to post the WHOLE scenario clearly - first, no Police; then, the Police. If you were handed a ticket/citation to appear in Court it is in lieu of a formal arrest.

What does the "yellow sheet" say?

Otherwise we're wandering around in the dark, guessing.

What was the value of the merchandise?

I'm sorry about not being clear.

I was stopped at the exit by loss prevention staff. They brought me to an upper office and proceeded to take pictures of the merchandise, which totaled an amount of $51.99, and pictures of me. Then they called the police, and after about 10 minutes, one male police officer arrived. He filled out a "Uniform Criminal Citation" which has my name and address, along with the text "It is formally charged that the above named person"... and the details of the incident follow that.

Then it says that "You are hereby summoned and commanded to appear for trial in the District Court of Maryland," etc. etc. "When notified by the court".

After I had signed that, along with the two documents that I've explained above, the police officer told me that I would be receiving a court date in the mail and proceeded to escort me down to my parents, who were waiting downstairs.

If you need anymore details, please ask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKT_Kal

Any other advice on how to proceed from here on would be greatly appreciated.

Hello again, S:

Details DO matter. Now that we know what happened, you should hire a lawyer and do NOTHING ELSE!!

excon

You could have been taken to jail. Instead you received a citation and the Police trusted you to appear for trial at a future date.

I agree with Excon - do NOTHING. Get an Attorney - assigned, retained, whatever fits your financial picture.

You HAVE been arrested for shoplifting and you WILL have to go to Court.

Im in the same situation... Im scared... N I have court Monday... But I never stole... They put letting people use my discount as stealing... They fired me, and arrested me. Now I got to go to court n pay a fine of four hundred and some old dollars.

I was arrested n I have a uniform citation.. N I have court... So what should I do??

What's a uniform citation and what State?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

What's a uniform citation and what State?

Hi Judy:

Some states have a form called a "uniform citation", which they use to cite all sorts of violations. I'm sure that's what this guy has.

@mseducated: Go to court. I'd hire a lawyer to go with me, though.

excon

Same situation.. I was wondering what to expect ? Should I plead guilty/non-guilty ? Im not sure

Where? It varies? For what?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseducated22

Im in the same situation. ...

No. You are not.

Your employer fired you. The police arrested you. That didn't happen SKT_Kalto. Are you in Maryland too?

This is why we ask that if you have a new question (Where's your question by the way?), you start a new thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amesia2

Same situation.. I was wondering what to expect ? Should I plead guilty/non-guilty ? Im not sure

You're not in the same situation either.