Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Help..want to know if im going to get arrested

[scared101]

About a week ago I got cought stealing about $7900 worth of Giftcards from the store I worked at. I had to write down a statement of everything that happened, and that I would have to pay back the full amount. After a long 4 hours in the Loss Prevention office, Cops came into the store and escorted me out the store,and the cops told me to expect a civil suit and that I got lucky..that I could have gotten arrested and gone to jail...does this mean im clear of jail time? Or is this just a message for that moment that i left the store. Im scared I stole the gift cards in exchange for food,detergent.etc. household items. I never sold them for cash...I had just lost my house and as head of household I did this to survive...im not proud of what I did...but i did do it and im regretful. I cant sleep and just keep waiting to get the letter in the mail of a court date.Also can they still build a case against me, even after I already wrote down my confession?? I heard this from an eployee that still works there. Im worried if I have to do jail time...im the only provider for my family...plse i need real answers not one's that are BS and yor just trying to make me feel even worse....I dont have money for an attorney...i need to know what I just be ready for...thnx

 

[thelawjournal]

Your "reasons" do not make this any less a crime. If charged your looking at felony theft and possible prison. I suspect the store will sue you for the amount taken or more. Civil Demand laws do not apply here so I cannot say for sure. Whatever payment arrangment and amount that is set forth I strongly urge you pay. Not paying could provoke them filing charges and seeking those funds through restitution and you could go to prison. Your post seems to suggest store did not file charges which I find odd. Did you get a citation or anything that has a court date or penal code on it?

 

[scared101]

I live in California and know that laws are different here....not gotten anything yet in the mail...it's been less than a week. A co-worker was caught stealing a total amount of about $1600 in merchandise, and she did get arrested and went to jail. She got bailed out...but she went straight from the store's Loss prevention office to jail...I just got escorted out,didnt get hand cuffed. I know I was wrong for doing this...I just wanted to let you guys know I didnt do this out joy..I was desperate to halp my family survive and it seemed easy at the time...but still there is no excuse for my behavior...I know, and kick myself for doing this....

 

[thelawjournal]

It may be that they have less evidence on you than they would car for. So they are seeking Civil solution ratehr than criminal one. You just won the lottery so to speak. As stated this would be a felony charge! Pay the store back and thank (insert preference) you caught a break

 

[scared101]

Im not by any means leaving it at that...i suffer from anxiety attacks and just can't let it go...I live in tijuana and this happend at my job in San Diego....i gave them my tj address and they have my phone number...so im not sure if im suppose to call them, or what exactly. I have trouble sleeping and all i do is think about it all day!! That's why im trying to find out what's gonna happen to me...i fear the worst!!!

 

[thelawjournal]

Once again. It is my opinion (having dealt with these cases many times over) tha tif they were going to press charges they would have done so then. Especialy with you living out of country. I feel you dodged a bullet on this one. No one can say for certain and statute of limitations for felonies is several years

 

[scared101]

thanks... I feel a little better...I have heard of so many bad things that have happened to other people on these post's....I just thought mine was different since I didn't get arrested that day and other people got arrested when they were caught. I can assure this will never happen again..ever! I hope when i get the letter in the mail its soon so I can get this over with and find out what the consequences will be....