Five weeks ago I was caught by my employer for theft. It happened 13 times over a month for a total of 200$. Basically during that time, I created a membership card and used it to accumulate points. And then, I exchanged the points for cash and put them in my pocket. I'm 23 and it's my first offense. They fired me and called the police. The police wrote down my information and then let me go saying that they will contact me soon.

Last Friday, I finally got a call from my former employer's head office saying that I got to pay them back 1700$... I should be getting the statement this week. I know that fine is pretty much more than what I expected, but I want to take all the responsibilities of my acts on my own and I want to pay them back, no matter the amount! I plan to pay them back within 2 months, 850$ each month. Does it help?? I also called the police to ask them about my case. They told me a report has been written and given to an investigator. They will contact me when they will have done it.

Just want to add a bit more details to my case. Even though I took $ from my till, my till was BALANCED everyday. Also, the 200$ that I mentioned, a part was cash (90$) and the other part was chocolate ball (0.69$ each). Point being, the 200$ might be the MAXIMUM value... it can be much less. By the way, I forgot to say that my company does have proof. They handed in everything to the police. I signed a paper saying that I will pay back my company for what I've taken. They said that they will send me a statement for that. I also confessed a letter of apology. I know I was really stupid, I feel really really really bad and I hope I could take it back... especially I used to be MR.PERFECT. No one around me believed that I did such a stupid thing...

What kind of punishment is waiting for me? Jail? An extra fine? Community services??

Part of your defense is that you were so clever that your till always balanced?

I would say community service, a Court fine (is the money you've been told to pay back a company directive or a Court directive), no jail, possibly probation.

Theft from an employer is taken VERY seriously.

First the money to the store is not a "fine" it is a penalty they are charging you.

You can expect at least a real fine from the state.

I don't see any jail time for that small an amount. That's what I call creative stealing and the state will look at this the same way. Just because your till balanced out each night is meaningless. You did take the money, didn't you?

You could expect months of probation and a hefty fine from the state and repay the $200 to the company as well.

I live in canada... And actually, I need to pay them back 1700$... almost 10 times of what I've taken. Is that considered a fine?

I live in canada

No, the COURT will set the fine. That amount is restitution to your employer for the time and trouble you caused him.

I also somewhat disagree with my colleagues - this was not a one-time temptation and theft. This was over a period. The Court will see that.