I recently got caught taking some money from the till at work... I feel terrible, I've done it before a few times out of desparation, single mother... just trying to feed my kid.

Now a police officer came and told me I could come down to the station and talk to him, it was my own choice, I chose not to say anything...

My manager said its going to be handled internally, but the officer said he's going to look over some evidence and that because I have two prior shoplifting charges... when I was much younger didn't go to court for either, that I might end up in court for embezzlement... what I want to know is this..

Is it up to my employer or the justice system whether I go to criminal court..?

I live in british Columbia Canada

There is really no excuse for taking money from your employer. If you were working, then why was that not enough to cover expenses. Now you are truly at a loss.

If you employer does not choose to press charges, it really doesn't make any difference if there was a police report, it still has to go through the justice system now the police are involved.

I hope you learn from your mistakes, single mother or no, you owe to your child to stay out of trouble, that is the only way you two are going to survive in the world we live in now.

Get a lawyer to intermediary for you.

I agree with tickle.. You can also get a record and no one will want to higher you for employment when they look under your background and then how will you be able to take care of your child. It sounds like you may have a spending problem or don't know how to manage money and you need to get help for this and the shoplifting because you may end up doing it again and be put in jail. I don't think it is worth it to you or your daughter for the embarrasement that will be caused to your family when they find this out, especcially if you go to jail. I am not sure what the courts will make you do, but I am guessing they will rather order you to pay the money back and possibly put you on probation or they could lock you up but I am not sure but I guess it depends on if you have any previous records for mistemenor/felony. Just take this as a lesson learned and never do it again because it is not worth a life long record!

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Originally Posted by MarrianeMarzapan

i recently got caught taking some money from the till at work... i feel terrible, ive done it before a few times out of desparation, single mother.... just trying to feed my kid.

Now a police officer came and told me i could come down to the station and talk to him, it was my own choice, i chose not to say anything...

my manager said its going to be handled internally, but the officer said hes going to look over some evidence and that because i have two prior shoplifting charges... when i was much younger didnt go to court for either, that i might end up in court for embezzlement..... what i want to know is this..

Is it up to my employer or the justice system whether or not i go to criminal court....??

I live in british Columbia Canada

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I don't have any mistemenor/felony on my record, I know this was a mistake and I feel terrible about it, I want to get this problem under control and pay back everything I took, but is it for sure even going to court? The officer said "it will probubly be settled outside of court or in small claims but we'll see"... is it possible they will just let the business handle it internally?? Also how long does it take these things to process, will I get a letter or something?? I need to know what my fate is, I can't sleep, I can't stop crying I'm horribly depressed,

I don't know what to suggest as to finding out your fate in this mess. Can you sit down with your employer, he must know more then you at this point, or contact the officer handling the case. No one has to sit back and wait in an instance like this. Get up your gumption and start asking questions of the people who matter. Once you take control of your situation you will more empowered to do something about it.

I worked at a gas station and the guy that worked there before me stole money and was fired, he had to go to court but he was arrested also. I am not sure of his situation and if he had any previous records though. You may just be given a order to pay back the money, small claims court is for small amounts owed and it is a lot easier and also cheaper than going to a higher court. If you do not owe a lot of money then you may be taken to small claims but I am not sure about where you work and your situation. How much money did you take, if you don't mind me asking? If you took over a $100 altogether this can give you a felony on your record, unless your boss does NOT press charges. If he does than you can expect to have a record and go to jail. It is the same as shoplifting from a store and the same rules go but if he does not press charges then you may just have to pay the money back but either way I am not sure.

Also talk to your boss if you can and plead for his mercy and apologize... Beg him not to press charges and tell him that you have learned from your mistake and that you have a daughter that you are having to support and it is hard for you. It can be in the police's hands now and may be too late if he has already filled out the paperwork but it is definitely worth a shot!

I work at a small bakery, it's a chain only in the area, the man who owns it is some what of a celebrity in my town... I think that's why he wants to keep it internal, he doesn't want it in the news...
I did take over 100 in the period I worked there... but not more than 5000 which the officer said was suspected... I worked there for a year, and a lot of people came and went some of which I think also took money from the till, is it possible I'm being charged with there crimes as well?

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Originally Posted by MarrianeMarzapan

i work at a small bakery, its a chain only in the area, the man who owns it is some what of a celebrity in my town... i think thats why he wants to keep it internal, he doesnt want it in the news...
i did take over 100 in the period i worked there... but not more than 5000 which the officer said was suspected... i worked there for a year, and a lot of people came and went some of which i think also took money from the till, is it possible im being charged with there crimes as well?

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Let's see... if you were an employer, and caught an employee stealing, and they said that they only stole $100, but you know that since they've been hired, $300 has gone missing, who do you think you'd blame for the other missing $200? The employee you know has stolen, or some other employee who might, possibly, but who can really tell, have done it?

Of course they are going to charge you with the other losses as well.

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Originally Posted by MarrianeMarzapan

i recently got caught taking some money from the till at work... i feel terrible, ive done it before a few times out of desparation, single mother.... just trying to feed my kid.

Now a police officer came and told me i could come down to the station and talk to him, it was my own choice, i chose not to say anything...

my manager said its going to be handled internally, but the officer said hes going to look over some evidence and that because i have two prior shoplifting charges... when i was much younger didnt go to court for either, that i might end up in court for embezzlement..... what i want to know is this..

Is it up to my employer or the justice system whether or not i go to criminal court....??

I live in british Columbia Canada

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I've fallen on hard times in the past, but I didn't take money from my employer; I sold some of my video game collection and comic books to stay out of the red. What I don't understand, is that if you are having a hard time with money, why you didn't just ask the owner of your place of business for a loan and explain the situation that you are having. If I had a business, and a good employee that fell on hard times, and could afford to lend them some money, or even give them some money without repayment, then I would do it.