Hello all,
I am posting here to see if anyone can offer some help/support. I was detained for shoplifting at a large big box store yesterday and am freaking out. The Loss Prevention people were screaming at me, calling me a liar etc. I basically tried to do my own exchange. Meaning I put back items that I bought (I have the receipt for one item, not for the other) and took the correct sizes without going to the Returns Dept. Undercover store security must have seen me as I am fairly certain they do not have cameras that can cover the floor at such a giant warehouse.
As I was leaving I was detained and brought to the managers office. They called the local police who came and read me my miranda rights, etc. The police were total jerks at first and then were laughing and joking with me. It seemed so surreal. I am in my mid-thirties, mother of 2 young children and terrified of going to jail for this. (my baby was with me at the time) I live in a very affluent area so I don't know if the local police have anything better to do than make an example of me. We are an upper-middle class family so not sure if I even qualify for the public defender?
The total cost for the items was less than $25.00. And I have a full receipt for one item that was $15.99. The other item was about $6.99. It was a stupid, stupid move but I have no idea what to expect. Will the DA prosecute me? Will I go to jail? What is the threshold for an infraction vs. a misdemeanor ($$ wise).
I did go to the local jail where I was fingerprinted and mugshot taken but no court date was set. The police told me that a court date would come in the mail in about 3 weeks...I dont think I can wait three weeks without knowing what might happen. I have not slept or eaten since the incident. Any help would be soooo appreciated!!!!!
I am posting here to see if anyone can offer some help/support. I was detained for shoplifting at a large big box store yesterday and am freaking out. The Loss Prevention people were screaming at me, calling me a liar etc. I basically tried to do my own exchange. Meaning I put back items that I bought (I have the receipt for one item, not for the other) and took the correct sizes without going to the Returns Dept. Undercover store security must have seen me as I am fairly certain they do not have cameras that can cover the floor at such a giant warehouse.
As I was leaving I was detained and brought to the managers office. They called the local police who came and read me my miranda rights, etc. The police were total jerks at first and then were laughing and joking with me. It seemed so surreal. I am in my mid-thirties, mother of 2 young children and terrified of going to jail for this. (my baby was with me at the time) I live in a very affluent area so I don't know if the local police have anything better to do than make an example of me. We are an upper-middle class family so not sure if I even qualify for the public defender?
The total cost for the items was less than $25.00. And I have a full receipt for one item that was $15.99. The other item was about $6.99. It was a stupid, stupid move but I have no idea what to expect. Will the DA prosecute me? Will I go to jail? What is the threshold for an infraction vs. a misdemeanor ($$ wise).
I did go to the local jail where I was fingerprinted and mugshot taken but no court date was set. The police told me that a court date would come in the mail in about 3 weeks...I dont think I can wait three weeks without knowing what might happen. I have not slept or eaten since the incident. Any help would be soooo appreciated!!!!!
