My wife, age 41 charged theft under $5000 in dollar store. Amount cost $ 15. Actually in her absent mind , she forgot to pay and want to show her daughter those pencils that she try to buy that daughter like it or not. But she forgot that she crossed the border line. She have to pay to go out . Daughter and me are waiting outside the store. So, in this time she was caught.
This happen before same thing another store also. She want to show the pajama for my daughter. But cross the border . Because we wait outside the store. First Tim's she appear the court and donate some money and it was OK.
But this time I have no idea , what happen and what I have to go.
Please, advise me .
She appear the court today. They give her some paper. She is not good in English and ask for interpreter .
Is she will charge a big penalty ?
We have 2 little daughter, 6 & 10.
And we cannot afford a lawyer
What should I have to do?
What the result will come in the court for this case?

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Originally Posted by Hmonir

My wife, age 41 charged theft under $5000 in dollar store. Amount cost $ 15. Actually in her absent mind , she forgot to pay and want to show her daughter those pencils that she try to buy that daughter like it or not. But she forgot that she crossed the border line. She have to pay to go out . Daughter and me are waiting outside the store. So, in this time she was caught.
This happen before same thing another store also. She want to show the pajama for my daughter. But cross the border . Because we wait outside the store. First Tim's she appear the court and donate some money and it was ok.
But this time I have no idea , what happen and what I have to go.
Please, advise me .
She appear the court today. They give her some paper. She is not good in English and ask for interpreter .
Is she will charge a big penalty ?
We have 2 little daughter, 6 & 10.
And we cannot afford a lawyer
What should I have to do?
What the result will come in the court for this case?

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I am guessing this is in Canada - on a personal note, for starters, I'd STOP making excuses for her. This is the second time she has "absent mindly" walked out of a store with merchandise. She got lucky if she wasn't arrested the first time. She wasn't so lucky this time.

She is not eligible for diversion because it is not her first offense.

I would "guess" (and it's purely a guess, only the Judge knows) that she will pay restitution (money to the store for the merchandise she took plus their expenses), a fine, some sort of warning and probation, possibly community service.

It appears she has taken merchandise in the presence of your/her children on both occasions - that might cause the Court to order some type of counselling.

And, again, I'd stop making excuses for her. It won't sound good on her behalf in Court.