Ask Me Help Desk - Got caught shoplifting...

A few months back I got caught shoplifting and the Hudson bay company. I feel absolutely awful about it. It was my first offense and it will be my last. I was going through a divorce and was badly depressed and wasn't thinking clearly.
I now have to get things in order. I want to travel in my life and I don't want this to affect future jobs.
They did not call the police but they said they charged me. They didn't give me a court date and I haven't gotten anything saying to appear in court. I have however gotten civil recovery letters saying g to pay over $500. I am a student. I work one day a week to pay for food and cell phone bill.
I want to know if this will be on my criminal record even though they never called the police and never gave me a court date.
And what do I do about the civil recovery cause I can't pay. I have called the barrister who sent me the letters but they don't call back? I was hoping I could take a class about how shoplifting affects your life ( the security guard who arrested me mentioned it) and that if I did that they would drop everything. I really don't know what to do about this or how to handle it.
I also live in Manitoba Canada if that affects anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightlilly1991

A few months back I got caught shoplifting and the Hudson bay company. I feel absolutely awful about it. It was my first offense and it wil be my last. I was going through a divorce and was badly depressed and wasn't thinking clearly.
I now have to get things in order. I want to travel in my life and I don't want this to affect future jobs.
They did not call the police but they said they charged me. They didn't give me a court date and I haven't gotten anything saying to appear in court. I have however gotten civil recovery letters saying g to pay over $500. I am a student. I work one day a week to pay for food and cell phone bill.
I want to know if this will be on my criminal record even though they never called the police and never gave me a court date.
And what do I do about the civil recovery cause I can't pay. I have called the barrister who sent me the letters but they don't call back? I was hoping I could take a class about how shoplifting affects your life ( the security guard who arrested me mentioned it) and that if I did that they would drop everything. I really don't know what to do about this or how to handle it.
I also live in Manitoba Canada if that affects anything.

This is more or less legal blackmail, legal in Canada. You either pay the restitution or they press criminal charges.

If you want to take shoplifting classes they have to be Court ordered. That puts you in Court, asking for classes. I don't think that's what you want. The arrest and the classes would be on your record. You don't just put yourself in classes and then walk away from the charge.

At this point in time you have no arrest record. Don't pay restitution and you will have an arrest record.

How much, what dollar amount, did you steal?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

This is more or less legal blackmail, legal in Canada. You either pay the restitution or they press criminal charges.

If you want to take shoplifting classes they have to be Court ordered. That puts you in Court, asking for classes. I don't think that's what you want. The arrest and the classes would be on your record. You don't just put yourself in classes and then walk away from the charge.

At this point in time you have no arrest record. Don't pay restitution and you will have an arrest record.

How much, what dollar amount, did you steal?

I stole an item less than $100

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightlilly1991

I stole an item less than $100

How much are they asking in restitution? You said over $500.

From what I've seen posted in the past restitution is usually between 3 and 3-1/2 times value. Hudson Bay, of course, gets to set the rules. It's their store.

Ok. I will see if maybe I can make payments towards it to ensure I don't get a criminal record. Thank you for your response.

Yes, if you don't pay, they can report the crime and still press charges , that is why you pay this, plus it is most likely no more than the actual fine would have been plus they still can charge this.

And perhaps work more hours, sorry other college kids do it. Or ask parents for the money.

And taking the class helped if they had pressed charges, nothing to do with the civil part of this.

If you can make large enough payments, don't expect them to accept 10 dollars a month. But if you can make 50 or more a month, most likely they would accept that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightlilly1991

Ok. I will see if maybe I can make payments towards it to ensure I don't get a criminal record. Thank you for your response.

I'm thinking what I would so - I'd attempt to contact Loss Prevention at the store. I'd write a letter or, better yet, I'd go there in person. I'd explain my circumstances. I am guessing you already admitted your guilt.

A face to face with store management will be more effective and have more impact than a call to an Attorney who is on a retainer.

It may work. It may not. If you were going through a rough time, have money issues, I'd explain that without tears or attitude and ask about making an arrangement. I'd be so very sorry - which I believe you are.

That's what I would do.