Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Shoplifting at Wal-Mart

[rebornagain07]

I was caught shoplifting at Wal-Mart 3 weeks ago..an item worth $69.00. I wasn't arrested the cop just wrote me citation and gave me a court date. I have been shoplifting off and on since I was 16 and I am 32. This is the first time I have been caught and I don't have anthing on my record other than speeding tickets.I have been on several different medicationsfor depression anxiety and impulse disorders. I have 2 years of college and have a professional job. We make good money and I could have bought the items I took. I am so scared and worried and have even considered suicide because I am so dissappointed in myself and have hurt my family and will probably loose my job which I love. I had a wonderful life until now and I have ruined it all. I am currently seeking counseling and I have a great attorney but I don't have much hope for the future. I am not making excuses for what I done. I just don't want humiliation and embarrassment for my children, my husband and my family. I am very sorry for what I done and I am trying to go on with my life and try to work and be the mother and wife I was before this happened. My attorney is going to the arraignment for me and pleading me not gulity and setting up a pre-trial conference. He said then he was going to try and get the charges dismissed for an agreement for me to stay out of Wal-Mart forever and pay them restitution. Has anyone out there seen this type of situation and what was the outcome? I am really trying to not worry about this so much cause my family and my children are suffering for what I done. The only thing keeping me from killing myself is my children. My mother killed herself when I was 11 and left me and my brother behind and I have resented her for it. Please someone tell me what you think....

 

[seniorjudge]

Please be more specific.

What is your legal question for us?



Q: Has anyone out there seen this type of situation and what was the outcome?

A: Yes and sometimes good; sometimes bad.

 

[mafioso]

It is unfortunate your situation had to come to this……………. You have a lot to live for……..However, if your lawyer dismisses the charges via a plea (differed adjudication), it would still be on your record. It would however let you say you were not convicted but the arrest records would be available. If your lawyer feels their case against you is strong and can't find hole to find you not guilty, he has no option but to cut a deal. However, some states would let you expunge or seal the record after probation or a couple of years even if you were guilty. Check with your lawyer for your state's law on expunging and sealing. About your job, most employers don't do further BG checks after they employed you…..very few do periodical background checks. So, you might be lucky and keep your job for as long as it takes. I have seen people who are still working without the HR noticing. Your lawyer might look into your medical history and past to see if he can use something like effects of your strong medications…………to fight the charge. Every option should be on the table…. Winning cases is not about the facts but about the best fight you put out there…….Good luck!

 

[rebornagain07]

arrest

Thank you for your reply. It means a lot that you didn't bash me. I figured that people would probably get on here and bash me, not that I don't deserve it but I feel about as low as low can be right now. You said the arrest would still be on my record but I wasn't arrested. The cop only wrote me a citation. Is that the same thing as being arrested? What I am really worried about is my name being in the court news and people that I know and work with seeing it and then it being brought to the attention of where I work.

 

[mafioso]

The court documents would show you were charged with theft…………it is makes no difference if you were arrested or not. It is viewed in the same way. The record for your charge is public information and would be available even on that county's website if someone searches. Most courts have their schedules and charges of crime online. But the average person does not just go there looking. Most people who go there to look are looking for particular information. You would need to know the person's names or more to get access to their charge. The info is shared with law enforcement agencies and can be accessed by anyone who does a BG check in the near future…..

 

[Prudens]

I'm curious as to how your case went. A friend of mine in similar situation.

 

[ifonlyiknew]

You might also ask your lawyer if your state/county has a diversion program. I'm currently living the same nightmare but the court recommended a diversion program due to it being a first time offense then my lawyer says the case will be dismissed. Of course I would then need to apply to seal the records (like Mafioso says being charged is more or less the same as being arrested) but I'm a little ahead of myself because I'm yet to attend the diversion program. Just like you, I'm in great fear of losing my job because the whole process takes a while. Good luck to you.