[mcswirlz]

Caught shoplifting at the bay, is my ticket unjust?
I was recently caught shoplifting for my first time at the bay. I feel awful, it was all peer pressure related and I feel so ashamed at what I have done. I am 16 years old, I live in Canada and feel like I was unjustly treated, with regards to my ticket. The item I stole costed $6.00 and after I was detained the police came and gave me a ticket for $250 for lottering. I was fine with that until three weeks later I got a ticket for $500 from the bay(to be paid by oct 3rd) as well as a 2 year ban from the mall and all bay,zellers and home-outfitter. Claiming the recovery cost for my actions were 900+ dollars and that they feel it would be suitable to charge me only $500. So in total I have to pay $750 for a first time offense over a $6 item... I feel as though there has to be something I can do to lower this. I'm in grade 12 and this is my final year, I have no real time for a job as I am studying a lot, and now I have to worry about a fine which I feel has been blowen out of porportion. Can someone offer me some advice? Please?

[Fr_Chuck]

The 500 is not a "fine" it is a civil settlement with the store and is common and normal. Is it fair, ( well you decided to break the law so guess what ever they do is fair)

But it is high, but your parents will just have to pay it

[mcswirlz]

Yeh I also just got another lettter today saying that I have to appear at court, over a $4 item. They also said I would be sent another letter regarding whether I should pay the full 900 opposed to just 750. Like WHAT?