Obviously this is a common thread topic here, but anyway: I was accused and then booked for shoplifting in a major department store in the state of Florida.
I was extremely complaint after the initial panic (which almost caused me to faint) to the LP and answered all the police's questions honestly after they arrived (probably too honestly but they are rather intimidating throwing phrases around like "obstruction of justice" and "lying to police officers"). According to the LP they had me on camera removing the tag of a single item, however I did have more than one on my person when I was taken into the LP room. In the end I was charged with grand theft because said merchandise was at $600 and in Florida grand theft begins at $300-and if asked I would never have thought any of that cost anywhere near that price. Anyway, I was banned from the department store chain, cuffed and taken to jail, finger printed and the whole nine yards.
I have already retained council, that was the first thing I did the day after this event happened. I haven't received a civil demand, but from what I was told I may not have one sent to me because all merchandise was recovered.
I have not done anything like this in my life and for some reason I decided to try it in the middle of finals week right before the holidays. I don't really know why, could have been all the stress I was under, but that isn't an excuse. I'm a person who actively does volunteer work, has a 3.75 GPA and I'm in my senior semester of university without so much as a traffic ticket on their record. This all happened nearly a week ago and I haven't got a night's rest or eaten anything but soup since because I feel so guilty about what I've done and the anxiety is killing.
Basically, what I was wondering was if y'all could help with these questions (so my lawyers don't take it from their retainer):
- If I complete the N.A.S.P. adult shoplifting class prior to my court date, do you think it would this help?
- Is there a set time frame that Civil Demand letters usually arrive in? Or is it just random? Considering the amount I am accused to have taken, how much do you think I would have to pay? I understand they can charge 3x the amount?
I was extremely complaint after the initial panic (which almost caused me to faint) to the LP and answered all the police's questions honestly after they arrived (probably too honestly but they are rather intimidating throwing phrases around like "obstruction of justice" and "lying to police officers"). According to the LP they had me on camera removing the tag of a single item, however I did have more than one on my person when I was taken into the LP room. In the end I was charged with grand theft because said merchandise was at $600 and in Florida grand theft begins at $300-and if asked I would never have thought any of that cost anywhere near that price. Anyway, I was banned from the department store chain, cuffed and taken to jail, finger printed and the whole nine yards.
I have already retained council, that was the first thing I did the day after this event happened. I haven't received a civil demand, but from what I was told I may not have one sent to me because all merchandise was recovered.
I have not done anything like this in my life and for some reason I decided to try it in the middle of finals week right before the holidays. I don't really know why, could have been all the stress I was under, but that isn't an excuse. I'm a person who actively does volunteer work, has a 3.75 GPA and I'm in my senior semester of university without so much as a traffic ticket on their record. This all happened nearly a week ago and I haven't got a night's rest or eaten anything but soup since because I feel so guilty about what I've done and the anxiety is killing.
Basically, what I was wondering was if y'all could help with these questions (so my lawyers don't take it from their retainer):
- If I complete the N.A.S.P. adult shoplifting class prior to my court date, do you think it would this help?
- Is there a set time frame that Civil Demand letters usually arrive in? Or is it just random? Considering the amount I am accused to have taken, how much do you think I would have to pay? I understand they can charge 3x the amount?
