Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft shoplifting question

[Shed123]

I'm 18 and was with my girlfriend in the dressing room and she was shoplifting.

She got caught and they called the cops.

I got a $313 fine and was told the court date is not mandatory. But also was told I could be fined by the store, too.

The fine was for party of the crime. I cannot afford a lawyer and was wondering if there was any way to fix this problem because I didn't have any merchandise on me and I've been reading this will stay on my record and I would like to avoid that since I'm currently looking for employment. I need help.

 

[army judge]

Oh yeah, you plead guilty to a crime.
That wasn't very smart, and neither was hanging out at a store in or near the dressing room while the thief was BOOSTING.

Too late to FIX or UNDO what you've done by pleading guilty.
Your record is stained indefinitely and you'll feel the sting of that indiscretion for many, many years to come.

In time, maybe 10 years or so, it'll be less apparent that you plead guilty to helping a thief.
Until then, you can forget working in retail jobs, banks, or around money.
I hear that its hard to even get a job as a janitor with such convictions.


All you can do is ride out the storm, and obey ALL of their laws.
They get you when you break their laws.

Hold on and wait, be patient until the letter arrives.
Its called a DEMAND LETTER, not a fine.
The fine you dealt with by paying the court.
Now the store will DEMAND a couple hundred more bucks to get off your back.
You can pay, or ignore, and their collection agency will hound you, annoy you, until you hide, disappear, or pay up.
If you don't pay, the agency could sue you.
Its rare to be sued, because they want easy money.
But, about 1-2% do get sued nationally, your call.

 

[Betty3]

Here is a link you might want to read re civil demand letters for informational/educational purposes.

http://www.thelaw.com/guide/civil/civil-demand-letters-retail-theft-and-the-law/

 

[shrinkmaster]

Civil Demand is unrelated to any criminal charges and fines. Its a civil fine here are two links on this very issue. I am a Retail Theft consultant and answer questions like yours daily.

http://www.parentnook.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=161&t=3934
http://www.thelaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59980

As AJ says if you paid the fine and avoided court you pretty much plead guilty and most likely now have a criminal record. It doe snot matter if you stole or not you were present, ha dknowledge and, did nothing to stop it. This makes you an accomplice.