Hi there, a couple years ago I was caught shoplifting from a store (I was probably 15 or 16 at the time) and it took place in Maryland. My mom was with me so the manager didn't call the mall security but just talked to my mother and myself in the back room. I had to fill out a paper with my name and address (I can't remember what else it had on it). She said we would be fined. (I don't know if we ever were fined, my mother never brought up the incident again). I never went to court. My question is: When I apply for a job will it show up on a background check? Is it on my permanent record?

On the forms I fill out to get a job, if one of the questions is "Have you ever shoplifted?" can I say reply "no" or will they know I'm lying?

Thank you!!

Im am not familiar with Maryland law but in Texas... most cases that heppened when under the age of 18 become sealed. Meaning, they are not on your official record anymore. Also, If you never went to court then you were never fined. So they ended up just scaring you and possibly banning you from that store for a few years. So yes you can put you never shoplifted before on applications. Although, I do not recommend lying AT ALL in most circumstances. Hope this helps.

The famous scare tactic is not uncommon, however this method of resolution would have to be made clear with the legal guardian of the juvenile, before the scene of the incident can be cleared, and the minor released.

If we think of it as a citation or a traffic fine, even petty theft must be documented if the party at loss is unwilling to settle it informally between the offender, the guardian, and the authorities.

So if there is to be an infraction or a charge filed against you, then you would have received a soft copy, or a date to appear/pay the fine.

Law enforcement officers are given a great deal of "discretion" to which course of action to take. But when there has been a victim and or collateral, personal, government, public, or commercial loss as a direct result of the offense, 1- the responding officer may have no choice but to write you up, or 2- the party at loss is granted the discretion through the officer.

If you got notice be it a fine, court date, or written warning, it will be filed and you will have a criminal record of "delinquency of a minor."

A Judge can decide at your hearing to drop it down to community service or fine with an order of proximity to the place of business.

If this is your first offense, you may be placed on a diversion program. Its in a way like probation, but its centered more around how you do in school, at work, and keeping your nose clean all the way around.

Juvenile records are often misconstrued as; can it ever go away? Can it be expunged?
Yes in the eyes and database of the law.

Never as far as your personal background information.

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Originally Posted by confused19yo

On the forms I fill out to get a job, if one of the questions is "Have you ever shoplifted?" can I say reply "no" or will they know I'm lying?

Thank you!!!

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It is highly unlikely a job application would get that specific. Generally, they will ask if you were ever convicted of a crime. They might ask if you were ever arrested.

In those two cases, you could reply no, since the store handled it without involving law enforcement. However, you should never lie on a job application. If it is ever found out, you would likely be terminated.