Shoplifting got stopped and found guilty at a retail store

[Bob1094]

Hi
My friend she was stopped at a retail store and found the valueables worth of 1426$ In shoplifting and they have the video recording from theCC rv.
She was asked to sit in the for an hour. Later police came inquired and found out she was guilty. Since this was first time for her he dint arrest her. She had a clean record. And she works for an IT company. Police officer mentioned this as a criminal act coz the value is more than 950$ as per CA law. A letter will be sent to the address that she gave it to them. Then she will need to go to a police station and surrender herself. This is what the police officer told.

My question is what is the process and how shud she get out of this as soon as possible?
Can the criminal record be cleared?
She has no clue what to do?

 

[army judge]

Hi
My friend she was stopped at a retail store and found the valueables worth of 1426$ In shoplifting and they have the video recording from theCC rv.
She was asked to sit in the for an hour. Later police came inquired and found out she was guilty. Since this was first time for her he dint arrest her. She had a clean record. And she works for an IT company. Police officer mentioned this as a criminal act coz the value is more than 950$ as per CA law. A letter will be sent to the address that she gave it to them. Then she will need to go to a police station and surrender herself. This is what the police officer told.

My question is what is the process and how shud she get out of this as soon as possible?
Can the criminal record be cleared?
She has no clue what to do?

She should do as she was told, read the letter when it arrives, and take it to a lawyer.
After all, she makes BIG money working for an IT company.
So, spend some of that BIG money hiring a lawyer and trying to fix the mess she created.

 

[Bob1094]

Thank you for your reply.
When it says surrender yourself whats that mean?
Big money means how much money does it involve?

 

[CdwJava]

Hi
My friend she was stopped at a retail store and found the valueables worth of 1426$ In shoplifting and they have the video recording from theCC rv.
She was asked to sit in the for an hour. Later police came inquired and found out she was guilty. Since this was first time for her he dint arrest her. She had a clean record. And she works for an IT company. Police officer mentioned this as a criminal act coz the value is more than 950$ as per CA law. A letter will be sent to the address that she gave it to them. Then she will need to go to a police station and surrender herself. This is what the police officer told.

My question is what is the process and how shud she get out of this as soon as possible?
Can the criminal record be cleared?
She has no clue what to do?

Okay, there's a lot wrong with what you wrote.

First, it's a crime to steal if there is any monetary loss at all! Because the value was $1,426 and this was over $950, this was felony grand theft or 2nd degree burglary! Less than that, it would have been a misdemeanor (a possible felony if done prior to the November elections, but a couple of months ago we waved a magic wand and eliminated a slew of felonies from the books).

Quite frankly the officer seriously erred in letting her go! In fact, he should have arrested her for the felony! Your friend got astoundingly lucky to have been let go. Either something was amiss with the store's investigation and the officer felt he lacked the probable cause to make the arrest at that time, or, the officer was in need of some serious re-training or incredibly lazy. In any event, if the probable cause exists to say that she committed this offense, then it is likely a felony arrest warrant will be issued for her and this will NOT be in the form of a summons asking that she surrender herself - they will probably come to her door to arrest her. Though it is possible that in her jurisdiction they might give her a chance to surrender herself rather than hook her up at home, work or school.

She cannot address the matter until (if) it goes to court. If convicted, she can seek an expungement when she has completed her sentence and probation. Until then, there's nothing that she can practically do to make this go away. She might want to consult an attorney or two ahead of time so that she is ready when/if she gets arrested. And, keep in mind, that the state will have up to three years to commence a prosecution so she may have to wait a while to know for sure, though it is likely that if they are going to pursue her it will occur within the next 6 months or so.

 

[shrinkmaster]

As CDWJava states this was a felony according the CA law books and she should be grateful she was not hauled off to jail. Since this is and will likely be charged as a felony ACD or Diversion is not likely an option. She needs to consult an Attorney right away and not discuss case with anyone except her Attorney. If convicted she will not be able to expunge this for about 7 years. This can and likely will hurt her career greatly. I am a Retail Theft consultant and answer questions like your daily. I had a client once in a similar situation I advised him to take and complete the Anti Shoplifting course offered by non profit group NASP www.shopliftingprevention.org he did and showed Judge proof on his first court date. Judge was so pleased with his action he dismissed his case on the spot! No probation!! I cannot say same will happen for your friend but it wont hurt

 

[Betty3]

If I was your friend, I would talk to a criminal defense lawyer at this time to get an idea of what she might be facing & any options available to her.