Ask Me Help Desk - Shoplifting in Texas

THREE weeks ago, I was detained for switching a price tag from $18 to $5. The security caught me on a tape as they said, I didn't get banned from the store, they called the police and they gave me a Class C Misdemeanor, Theft (Shoplifting). I have to go to the court within 10 days, but today I received a letter demanding that I need to pay $300. It says that the payment of any demand made upon does not prevent criminal prosecution under a related criminal statute provision and the payment many not be used in any court proceeding by our client as an admission of liability.

Do I need to hire a lawyer to remove it completely from my record as I have to take care of some paperwork with the immigration at this time? This is my first time offense of any kind.

I was wondering what the best course of action is at this point. For example, what are the chances that the case get dismissed? Also, would this effect my job in any kind especially I have to have a full background check every year?

Any other advice would be more than welcomed and appreciated. Thanks.

A. Does the paper say any date due that they are requiring you to pay because I would show it to a Lawyer before I paid it. Not that you wouldn't be required to pay it but you need legal advice before you do pay it. Then even though it says does not prevent criminal prosecution and many not be used in any court proceeding by our client as an admission of liability I would still have it brought to the Judges attention. I have heard other people say that a store charged them $300. And then the court charged them another $300. And said they should not have paid the store.

B. They most likely would not remove it from your record or leave it off your record. Typically your first offense with no prior record you would have to go a year or so without getting in any trouble then you can go back to court and ask for it to be expunged.

You will likely have to take a class on shoplifting.

The best thing to do is get a lawyer and he will know best what you need to do.

Remember shoplifting does not pay off in the long run.

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I was detained for switching a price tag from $18 to $5.

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today I received a letter demanding that I need to pay $300

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This is a common practice. You are in for some heavy handed treatment

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I was wondering what the best course of action is at this point.

Stop stealing

Stop thinking about stealing

Offer to make restitution in writing.

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For example, what are the chances that the case get dismissed?

Unlikely

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would this effect my job in any kind

It depends on your employment contract

If future applications contain a "have you ever been convicted of a crime" you will have some problems.