wantsomething
New Member
I know most people on this site aren't Canadian, but I figured I'd give it a shot anyway.
I'm a twenty three year old living in Newfoundland with a clean record. Yesterday I was caught shoplifting and arrested. It was the first time I'd ever been charged with anything, and they retrieved all the items (four, I think about $35 value). I've been banned from the location (a grocery store) and have a court date in about a month, as well as an appointment to get my prints and picture taken. I was really shaken by the experience, I certainly don't intend to do it again, and am terrified about how it will affect my future. I have a few questions.
1) I know some cases in which the accused have clean records end in what in Canada is known as a "discharge," and the charges do not end up on your permanent record. How likely do you think that is in my situation?
2) If a discharge does not happen, what kind of an effect does a shoplifting charge have on your life? I know it makes a lot of things like applying for credit and buying a house very difficult. I've also heard that it is possible after a few years to get your record purged or pardoned if your behaviour since has been good. What do you need to do to make this happen?
3) What kind of punishment is typical for first-time shoplifters? I've heard it's mostly fines instead of jail time, but how high does the fine generally go?
Please do give some advice. I was stupid, I was wrong, and I made a really bad choice, and I'm scared I'll be paying for it for the rest of my life.
I'm a twenty three year old living in Newfoundland with a clean record. Yesterday I was caught shoplifting and arrested. It was the first time I'd ever been charged with anything, and they retrieved all the items (four, I think about $35 value). I've been banned from the location (a grocery store) and have a court date in about a month, as well as an appointment to get my prints and picture taken. I was really shaken by the experience, I certainly don't intend to do it again, and am terrified about how it will affect my future. I have a few questions.
1) I know some cases in which the accused have clean records end in what in Canada is known as a "discharge," and the charges do not end up on your permanent record. How likely do you think that is in my situation?
2) If a discharge does not happen, what kind of an effect does a shoplifting charge have on your life? I know it makes a lot of things like applying for credit and buying a house very difficult. I've also heard that it is possible after a few years to get your record purged or pardoned if your behaviour since has been good. What do you need to do to make this happen?
3) What kind of punishment is typical for first-time shoplifters? I've heard it's mostly fines instead of jail time, but how high does the fine generally go?
Please do give some advice. I was stupid, I was wrong, and I made a really bad choice, and I'm scared I'll be paying for it for the rest of my life.
