I'm in the UK and I'm so stupid... I stole £1300 (in a period of a month) worth of credit vouchers (its like a receipt for a refund if the person doesn't have a receipt to begin with) and spent a lot of it on god knows what, but, most importanly, I stole from my employer - It's a very big company and I'm one in, about, 600 staff, but, now, I've got caught, got arrested and then bailed then I'm going court this Wednesday. It's my first offence, I truly regret it and wondered if a jail sentence is possible? I am so scared. I was so stupid. I don't want to go to prison.

Honestly, I do not think there is a jail sentence but I do not know the law of your land. First time offense/learned your lesson. Move on. Never do it again. They might ask you to pay back, or community service. In my opinion.

Joe

I was just thinking it'll be paying back and community service. I really hope it's not a jail sentence, because I spent time in a cell whilst in custody and it was only for, like, 4 hours but it was absolutely awful. The police said I have been honest and co-operative throughout the whole ordeal, so hopefully that'll be noted. I couldn't bare going to prison and not having freedom. I would never do this again. I don't know why I did it in the first place! I'm 20, I should know a lot better.

Jail time for a first offense is rare. Usually it has to be a very serious crime and this wasn't. Much more likely is probation which will probably involve restitution and monitoring and may include community service.

What does restitution mean? I never thought I'd be in trouble like this! I didn't know how different it is in the UK. I just hope it's a big fine and lots of community service. I couldn't survive in jail.

Umm, you might want to bookmark merriamwebster.com.

Definition of restitution - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary