Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Not Arrested, Not Offered a PDA or Diversion

[rtfbobby]

I have been unemployed for over a year now, under extreme duress (I won't get into those details now) I took a pair of pants from a store. A few months later, I went back to that store (didn't think a thing about it) and while shopping 4 police officers came in and asked me to leave (I had my grandson with me, it was awful). They took me outside and said the store had called them and said I was shoplifting. I was not shoplifting but they said I was the same person who'd been in the store a few months back and they had video to prove it. I did not get arrested but later that day they came to my home and gave me a summons to appear in court. On that day, I was not allowed to have a public defender, the judge denied me any community service or diversion and I got a hefty fine. (I was the only woman in a room with inmates who'd been arrested for shoplifting and they all got community service). In hind-sight, I should have gotten an attorney but I didn't have the money for that either. Now, that I'm applying for jobs...I'm terrified of this coming up on a background check and never finding a job again. It was a stupid, one-time situation that I've learned to be completely afraid of police officers from. And now, I'm anxiety ridden that I'll be unemployable for the rest of my life. What should or could I do?

 

[shrinkmaster]

Nearly 10% of all Americans are unemployed right now. Your employment status may not be because of this event. Although any typical background check will reveal it. There is not much you can do for now. Your mistake (as you know) was not having a lawyer. You can talk to an Attorney see what waiting period is (7 years I think) to have this expunged from your record