[ninetwentynine]

Tonight, I committed theft under 5000.. I didn't even know what I was doing. I bought 52$ worth of stuff at winners.. but decided I could fit 2 hair products in my purse.. which were worth 33 dollars in total.. I also purchased a little basket for magazines, but switched the tag from 14.99 to 7.99... I was caught on the way out the door, taken to the back, filled out forms, the cops came, put me in there car, talked to me, gave me a court date & fingerprinting date. Said they could have charged me with fraud for switching the tags. They asked me the first time if I have ever done this before.. and I said no(earlier on).. then they asked me again.. and I told the truth.. and said I stole a lipbalm once with some friends at the dollarstore.. when I was 12.. I just wanted to be honest.. WHAT a stupid mistake. Why didn't I pay for the hair product.. I had enough money, but thought, hey, I can fit this in my purse, why not.. I'm never bringing my purse in a store again. I want to figuire out how I can get the least sentence.. I'm so freaked out. I'm only 20 & I've never even had a speeding ticket! Nothing! The things I purchased they let me keep, and I paid for the things I stole at the store. I would do community service for sure! Or if the fine was under 1000 dollars I would pay.. Help, advice please :confused:

p.s.. How long does this stay on my record for...

[ninetwentynine]

Also. Do I NEED an attorney, I'm not sure I can afford it with christmas and such.. I'm in saskatchewan if that helps.

[JudyKayTee]

Here is something I wrote for Ontario - every Province has a similar program.

I do not know that you will qualify because you both shoplifted and switched tags but here is the info -

“Ontario diversion program guidelines vary from region to region, courthouse to Courthouse. Eligibility for such a program is ALWAYS determined by the Crown Attorney's office. There are no exceptions. You are not required to have legal counsel in order to apply.

If the offense - theft - is not major (property was recovered, not a large amount, not a repeat offender) the Crown Attorney MAY approve eligibility into the diversion program prior to the Curt appearance. If there are prior dealings with the Police - and charges do not have to be placed, any prior dealings of a negative nature - the person will most likely not be eligible for the diversion program.

As part of the diversion program the eligible person will have to agree to complete certain tasks or obligations - perhaps watch a video, make a donation or volunteer time to a not-for-profit, write a paper on the crime.

When the tasks/obligations have been competed to the satisfaction of the Crown's Attorney he/she will recommend to the Judge that the criminal charge (usually, theft) be withdrawn.

Each courthouse in Ontario has a different diversion program and eligibility requirements differ from region to region. Eligibility for the diversion program is always determined by the Crown Attorney's office. If they deem a theft offence to be of a minor nature (usually a small quantity of merchandise was taken and the property was recovered), the Crown may pre-approve eligibility into the diversion program. A person will not generally be eligible for diversion if they have had prior dealings with the police (even if it did not result in a criminal charge being laid). Once in the diversion program, the eligible candidate may be asked to complete one of a number of different tasks. In some jurisdictions, a person charged with theft may be required to watch a video on shoplifting. In other jurisdictions they may be required to make a donation to charity or complete a minimum number of community service hours - or both. Regardless of the requirements, the result is usually the same. Once the diversion program has been completed to the satisfaction of the Crown Attorney, the Crown will recommend to the court that the criminal charge of theft be withdrawn against the accused person. This will result in the accused person maintaining a clean record (assuming they didn't have a prior criminal record).

If a person is not pre-screened as eligible for the diversion program, a lawyer may be able to convince a Crown Attorney to reconsider their decision.”

[ninetwentynine]

Thanks so much. But you the cops said I COULD HAVE been charged with fraud.. but on my court paper.. it says theft under 5000

[JudyKayTee]

thanks so much. but ya the cops said i COULD HAVE been charged with fraud.. but on my court paper.. it says theft under 5000

What I posted addresses theft under $5,000. I don't see where I said fraud.