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KatieH · Dec 28, 2008, 05:48 PM

About 3 weeks ago I was caught stealing 70$ worth of merd. From a Winco Food strore inWashington state. They took me to the back room and called the police. Winco gave me a 270$ fine, and the police arrested me and took me to jail. I was only in there for about an hour and a half. They told me I would receive my court papers in a week, and I have yet to. Should I be worry about more jail time or probation? Will I even have to go to court?

robertva · Dec 28, 2008, 07:54 PM

"Winco gave me a 270$ fine"?!

How would your accuser be allowed to set a fine in your case? You haven't even been convicted yet. Since it's nearly four times the retail price of what you're accused of taking, it can't be restitution for their lost merchandise. Are they trying to charge you for the "services" of their loss prevention staff or the time you spent in their detention room? Did you have $270 in your possession that they took from you before releasing you to the police? It almost sounds like the store was holding you for ransom or blackmailing you (then pressed charges anyway)!

KatieH · Dec 28, 2008, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by robertva

"Winco gave me a 270$ fine"??!!

How would your accuser be allowed to set a fine in your case? You haven't even been convicted yet. Since it's nearly four times the retail price of what you're accused of taking, it can't be restitution for their lost merchandise. Are they trying to charge you for the "services" of their loss prevention staff or the time you spent in their detention room? Did you have $270 in your possession that they took from you before releasing you to the police? It almost sounds like the store was holding you for ransom or blackmailing you (then pressed charges anyway)!

Well... Winco's sec. told me that the fine is 200$ plus the dollar amount of what I was trying to steal. That's why it is so high.. But I figured that it was petty shoplifting and they would just let me off. But since I am 18 they actually booked me. I just hope this doesn't go on my record. I 'm afraid I won't be able to get a job because of this..

And this was my first offense by the way.

robertva · Dec 29, 2008, 06:40 AM

The store security staff told you that conviction on the offense they accused you of typically results in the court imposing a $200 fine plus the retail price of the stolen goods?

Perhaps some of the court or prosecutor's personnel were taking vacation time and case processing is taking a bit longer than usual. It might be wise to check with those offices in case they sent the paperwork but it didn't reach you.

KatieH · Dec 29, 2008, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by robertva

The store security staff told you that conviction on the offense they accused you of typically results in the court imposing a $200 fine plus the retail price of the stolen goods?

Perhaps some of the court or prosecutor's personnel were taking vacation time and case processing is taking a bit longer than usual. It might be wise to check with those offices in case they sent the paperwork but it didn't reach you.

The fine is from Winco.. not the court.

excon · Dec 30, 2008, 06:15 AM

Hello K:

Those of us who've been here on the legal boards for a while, have heard of CANADIAN stores imposing fines for shoplifting, but never ones here in the US.

The fact of the matter is, fines can only be imposed by the courts - NOT the retail store...

What I would do is send the store a certified letter. I'd tell them, that you'll be happy to pay their "fine", if in return, they drop the criminal charge against you... If they DON'T, you'll charge them in criminal court for extortion...

The truth is, what they're doing to you, is a MUCH bigger crime than what whatever you might have done to them.

excon

Metalpunkman · Aug 26, 2009, 03:18 AM

The fines that winco charges you are the price of the merchandise plus $200. That is a fine that the state allows buisnesses to charge you civilly. The criminal charges are separate. Also, $70 worth of merchandise is not petty, that's a good amount of stuff. Also, the fine if not paid, will go to collections and hurt your credit. It's all perfectly legal too, look it up online at the state law website

Metalpunkman · Aug 26, 2009, 03:18 AM

The fines that winco charges you are the price of the merchandise plus $200. That is a fine that the state allows buisnesses to charge you civilly. The criminal charges are separate. Also, $70 worth of merchandise is not petty, that's a good amount of stuff. Also, the fine if not paid, will go to collections and hurt your credit. It's all perfectly legal too, look it up online at the state law website