Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft five dollars worth of merchandise..caught shoplifting

[3BlindMice]

what is the fine or penalty for stealing five dollars worth of merchandise? it was a five dollar anklet from a store on the boardwalk in wildwood, NJ. im from NJ and ive never gotten into trouble before with the law like this. the cops that took me in even said it was a waste of time that the store owner made them take me in. im 18 years old and scared to death. will they be sending me anything in the mail? i got the paper with my court date and everything while i was there but i dont want my parents knowing about it. i just want to pay the fine, do my community service, apologize and pretend it never happened. im an idiot and dont know what i was thinking! ive never stolen anything before. they even fingerprinted and photographed me. will it be on my record forever? i cant afford a lawyer, and i dont know what to expect when i go to court. i dont know how to handle stuff like this. im completely cluess..please help!

 

[thelawjournal]

Your looking at criminal chargesd and criminal record you need a Lawyer. If you cannot afford one request a Public Defender. Ask this Lawyer about Diversion as option

 

[Guest]

If your convicted its going on your record and that is gonna follow you forever. You need Diversion to save your future. Fines will be less than $500.00 for the criminal case and around $100.00 approx for the Civil Demand. There is a small chance teh DA may throw out the criminal case because the amount you stole was so small. They might reduce it to infraction which will save your record as well.

 

[StoreDetectiveVet]

the cops that took me in even said it was a waste of time that the store owner made them take me in.

It's the store owners decision to press charges, not the cops. Its not a "waste of time", I've delt with cops before who are lazy and don't want to take the time to do paperwork on a shoplifter. They might feel its a waste of their time, but the store does not.

Rant done.

 

[3BlindMice]

the cops that took me in even said it was a waste of time that the store owner made them take me in.

It's the store owners decision to press charges, not the cops. Its not a "waste of time", I've delt with cops before who are lazy and don't want to take the time to do paperwork on a shoplifter. They might feel its a waste of their time, but the store does not.

Rant done.

i was repeating what the cop said. that's all.

 

[3BlindMice]

Your looking at criminal chargesd and criminal record you need a Lawyer. If you cannot afford one request a Public Defender. Ask this Lawyer about Diversion as option

do you still have to pay a fine if they give you diversion? and what exactly does diversion involve..community service?

 

[thelawjournal]

Diversion works just like a conviction with fines, community, probation etc. Once you complete program though your case is dismissed. This means no criminal record