[not_guilty]

I walk into a store wit a buddy. We noice a lady who keeps looking at us and I tell him look undercover is looking at us because were black... he starts laughing and says lets give them something to watch.. He starts picking out clothes and puts it in his plastic bag which he placed on the floor. I thought he was jokin wit her and was going to pay for it so I found a yellow shirt he was looking for and he told me to place it next to his other stuff. AS we looked for more stuff he finally tells me to grab the bag and go outside wit it.. I tell him hell no and to get his stuff out my bag becasuse I had my shoes in their.We argue for a bit then he takes the bag and goes outside wit it. When we get outside he calls me a chiken and start laughing. AS I was walking towards my car my buddy notices the security lady and drops the bag and runs. I see them coming but decide not to run because I felt I did nothing wrong. My buddy gets away and after some time in the office a cop comes in and they decide to charge me wit theft under 5000... it clearly states in the report the judge had that my buddy walked out the store wit the items.. why am I getting charged. I am much more quick then my buddy I knew I should have ran. Wat should I do in this scenario. And don't say tell on my buddy

[hammieslove]

I think you should tell on your buddy because if he's that kind of person then you should,nt want him as your buddy. I think you did the right thing by not walking out of the store with the bag. If you don't want to tell on ytour buddy then you don't have to use his name and try to explain things calmly and truthfully. If you see your"BUDDY" again try to ignore him for a little and see what he does. Also ask him why. Technically you did,nt commit crime but you were with someone who did so you are equally guilty.

If you don't get help for your buddy or find out why he did what he did then letting him become a thief. Once a thief always a thief. HELP HIM not beome a wanted man when he's older.

[Fr_Chuck]

Of course I am sure you gave them the name and address of your friend,

But yes, you also stole, you took an item, and placed it in a bag and was part of the theft. In the US, in some states, merely placing it in the bag and heading for the door ( you don't even have to go outside) is all it takes is theft, in some states just placing it in the bag would get your theft.

But you and your partner both did it, so you both can be convicted, if he will come in and tell the truth about it, it may get you off.