I am 22 and I have been traveling in Canada for a few months now. A week ago, I was caught shoplifting at the Bay. I stole a dress for $55.

I stole the dress because I believe that there is actually something wrong in my head that causes me to steal, because when I do steal things ( only a couple times before) they have been things that I haven't even wanted, or liked, or take for myself.

The security guard caught me outside the store and called the police. I was questioned, and I was accused of lying because I was not able to give them my home address because I was traveling, and I had moved into a new place and I guess the stress had caused me to say my street and avenue number backwards or something. The police accused me of lying and that they did not feel comfortable with letting me go with a warning. ( I actually looked decent on the day and definitely did not look like the type of person to lie) anyway,

The security guard made me sign a notice prohibiting entry' stating that I am banned from any of The Bays in the entire country and the company partners like Zellers and some other companies for 2 year. I also signed a 'notice of intended legal action' saying that "The Bay intends to seek full compensation from me in Civil Court for its financial losses from those alleged wrongful actions. The said financial losses include, but are not limited to: the cost of any merchandise taken, the cost of the investigator's time, the adverse impact on customers, the costs incurred in attempting to prevent such activity, and such other costs as may be deemed appropraite in the circumstance."

I signed the sheets and the police said that I would receive a fine in the mail, and she handed me a notice for my court date. And if I didn't show up then they can issue a warrant and come to my house and arrest me.

I am stressed and scared that this will affect my travel plans to and from canada in the future. I travel quite a lot and I am not sure if I will have a criminal record because of my stupid wrong doing. I have never been caught before, and honestly I can say that I am glad I was caught because it is going to teach me a lesson. But I don't know what will happen and what I need to do.

THE WORST PART IS that I actually work in the mall temporarily for an amazing company and I didn't tell the security guard or the police at the time because I was scared they would go to my work and expose me.

I don't know what to do? I am banned from the mall and I work there. What will my punishment more likely to be? Will it affect my visa, or getting of one in the future? Will I get a criminal record and if so how long until it is removed? And will it come back with me to my home country? And if the court date is in two weeks should I be looking for a lawyer, and if by any chance the court date is changed to a later date, and it is after my departing date. Do I just leave?



PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE... help me or any advice would be ever so appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my question.

Retain an Attorney - without knowing the disposition of your previous shoplifting arrests it is impossible to know.

I don't understand - you are travelling through Canada as a tourist but working there? How?

I tried to answer this but the post disappeared, perhaps it got posted twice...

You need to be more clear of your status in Canada, you said you have been in Canada travelling for a few months but also mentionned you are working at the mall you shoplifted from.

Are you on a visitor, work or student visa?

So I thought you said you were banned from the store but then you say you are banned from the mall, which is it? I would try and get a lawyer if you can afford it if you intend to claim you have a psychological need to steal things. I would go to the court date 2 weeks from now and if it gets rescheduled call the courthouse and ask what to do since you are on a visa.

I shoplifted and was caught about 4 years ago now and was fined $350.00 but didn't have the police called or was given a court date... I signed something agreeing to pay a fine at the store directly.

Im sorry for not making myself clear in my previous post.

I am on a working holiday visa. It allows me to travel anywhere in the country and work in any city if I please. It is a two year visa only, and you cannot renew or extend it.


I was caught shoplifting at the Hudson Bay store, I had previously taken something from there before, shame I know. Anyway, the LP guy said that he had been watching me through the camera for sometime, and had seen me steal before through the camera, that he was basically waiting for me to steal something to catch me. I'm crazy I know.


So my question now is that can he have me charged for the previous time I stole from there. Or just the time he caught me? And they were the only two times. Ever.


I have been banned from the entire mall and the parking lot. I work in the mall, at another shop. And the Bay is three stores down from where I work. Which means I cannot work because I am not allowed to step foot in the place.

And I cannot afford a lawyer. I'm screwed. I don't know what the penalties are..

The store will charge a fine(maybe $350--$500)from you, unfortunately, the police charged you and gave you a ticket for court date. You'd better to contact a lawyer ASASP. You can access Just Answer Canada website. There are many lawyers answer questions online. But you should pay the fee(around $20) before you ask them.
Hopefully can help you. Good luck!