Hi,I was wondering me and three friends were caught shoplifting in walmart, and I was wondering what will happen because now a detective call me saying that their were going to put a warrant for our arrest, but the guards said that if we ran it would be theft,and we did not ran,so why is walmart doing this,we got the letter in the mail and no officer was called during the accident,we stole about I think less than 200$, but the detective said that walmart is doing this because we were 4 guys,

Theft is theft... its a violation of the law... they have that right. You did steal their stuff and you got caught.

By the way... you don't have to run, you don't even have to go through the front dooor... all you have to do is hide it on your body or property (such as a baby carriage) and it becomes theft.

However there might be variations in the law by location since Walmart operates in a number of countries... where would this have occurred.

It happened in Texas,another thing , I know they have the right but what can be the worst thing that could happen,

It is just worst if you run, They can add other charges.

200 dollars worth, most likely if there is no other arrests on your background, you will get a fine and probation,

But what is the worst ? Jail time of about a year, ( that should not happen, but that would be the worst possible)

OK.so why do they want us too turn ourselves in, a detective called saying something about a warrant,OK I get the part that we got caught but, come on its not like if we robbed a bank, can they just send us a letter like a regular fine,go too court give us our punishment and call it evens, they allways make it so difficult and I get that it was our fault for doing it but, no body is perfect and I actually learnead a lesson,this is my first time going through all of this, what can I expect,I have a job and go too school,can I pay all of this by doing community service or something?

It's a crime... I bet you'd be upset if someone swiped your stuff.

Welcome to the real world... the one where people get arrested and taken away in handcuffs to jail. The one where mom and dad can't make it go away.

Stores lose BILLIONS to people stealing stuff like you did... that means they have to raise prices for everyone else to cover the loss.

You aren't going to get any sympathy for your actions... you made the choice to do the crime... now show the maturity to pay for your actions. Live with it...

I recommend you hire a lawyer... I know that will take a bite out of your party funds... but you made the choice... nobody cares that you have a job... that means you had the money to pay for the stuff... that actually makes it even worse.

The world doesn't revolve around you or what's convenient for you... you should have learned that lesson growing up.

You absolutely need to leave the store for it to be theft. It is not theft until you do so. There is no law requiring a person to carry merchandise within as store in any particular fashion and lining your pickets with stuff is legal.

Any security guard will know to let you leave the store before detaining you for theft.

Running from a security guard may or may not be the same as running from a police officer. But...

DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING A LAW OFFICER OR SECURITY GUARD SAYS ABOUT THE LAW. There is nothing in the law that makes them tell YOU the truth about anything. They can lie to you to get you to confess. Do not answer any questions without a lawyer present. Get a lawyer no matter what.

All they need to do if find you with a hidden store item on you.. or see you doing it on security camera footage to secure a conviction... you don't meed to make it to the front door to be in trouble.

Letting you get out the front door just eliminates any doubt about your motives for hiding it.