Someone, anyone I need some answers real fast. I'm in Canada and I was caught shop lifting. I was charged of course and I'm waiting for my court appearance, needless to say I'm scarred and the way I see it I should be.

I have a bi polar disorder for the last 25 years. And for some stupid reason I felt well so I stopped talking my lithium. When I did that in a matter of days I was flying on NOTHING, I was real manic and lifted some kind of pills in a drug store.

Now this is totally out of character for me however ten years ago I did the same thing and was caught shop lifting back then. When I'm taking my lithium regular this type of behavior doesn't happen.

Should I get a lawyer? The officer said I don't have to get a lawyer so now I''m not sure where I stand. Is there any peace officers that can help or anyone who knows the legal system.

Thanks in advance

I'm new how do I get around on this site.

Hello Lady:

You're navigating just fine.

There's only one answer to your question, because there are a jillion possibilities based upon a jillion factors, many of which have yet to be played out.

Yes, you should get a lawyer.

excon

Ok, first it appears this will be a more minor theft if you only took a "few" pills, not thousands of dollars of pills.

IF you have not been in trouble in 10 years most likely you will get a fine, and be on probation for a while. Plus of course the store will come back and have a civil penalty of maybe up to 500 dollars they will bill you separately ( I see that often in cases like this in Canada on this site)

I would get an attorney, he can decide if it is worth, or if you can even afford to pay doctors to testify about your condition or if he can merely work out a plea with the court.