Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Theft in WA state

[postbot]

Yesterday, I was caught leaving Store X with just shy of 100 dollars of merchandise. It was stupid, I don't know why I did it, but it's done now. The security or whatever his title is got me just outside the store and had me come back for paperwork.

In my case, I know the civil aspect cited here http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.24.230 applies - he said I'll probably owe less than 300 dollars all told. My bigger concern is the criminal aspect of it - the police weren't called but from what I understand and have read here, that doesn't matter. I'm sure I'll get a court date (and even should I not, I would prefer to be prepared and not need it).

I know you guys can't give actual legal advice and all that, but what do you suggest here? Is it possible to get a lawyer before it goes to court to try to resolve this (hopefully free - I'm unemployed)? Does anyone know WA law well in regards to how a deferment would appear on my record (it's much harder to get a job with a conviction, especially one like this which would make me very unappealing to retail stores)?

Thanks for any/all help

 

[thelawjournal]

Finding a "free" Lawyer outsid eof Public Defender may prove tough. Until you get a summons or notice to appear I would not concern yourself with this. One concern you "might" hav enow is if the store that stopped you belongs to the retail theft databse. If so they probably put your name in it. This means anyone who subscribes to thsi database can see this event

 

[postbot]

That's a good point - is there any way to easily find out? How quickly, typically, do these things enter into the system? And I'm guessing that entry would exist forever, right?

 

[thelawjournal]

Records dont go away! They can be expunged but that takes years

 

[postbot]

I know criminal records can be expunged (although i'm not to that stage yet, and hopefully won't be!). Are you saying also that I can get expunged from this retail database as well? Most employers who aren't retailers wouldn't use such a thing, right?

 

[thelawjournal]

You don't expunge things off retail theft database no. However I "suspect" (dont know for sure) because of the huge amount of data place in database they might purge it after a time.

 

[postbot]

Yeah other sources are saying about seven years it will drop off, or if I can convince Store X to remove the information themselves (I may ask them in a couple years after they've been paid back and I have shown this was a one off thing).

Any clear time frame on how long til I hear what I owe from Store X or their recovery company? The only reason I'm concerned is I'm hopefully moving soon and I don't want to risk having the post office miss it when i forward my mail or anything - that would be very bad.

 

[thelawjournal]

Days, weeks even, months. If you move just hav your mail forwarded or contact the service yourself with new address

 

[postbot]

And I should be able to call Store X and ask who that is. I'll probably do that today then, just to see where I am in the process.

Man do I feel stupid about this whole situation.

 

[thelawjournal]

Call the store ask for their Loss Prevention or Security department. Then ask for number of the Stores Civil Recovery service

 

[postbot]

Will do, and thanks for the help so far!

When I asked about criminal charges, the security guy was pretty much avoiding the subject, being a bit mumbly and just altogether unclear - he didn't even mention that what I was signing was only for the civil aspect of it until I asked.

Is it possible to find out what Store X's policy is on criminal charges? I know that some stores won't tell you this. I also understand some chains have a "do not prosecute for under Y dollars" - I know you can't say if this is true for the specific store I was in (which I won't post for my own protection), but is this true? (sorry these are kind of vague, necessarily)

 

[postbot]

Scratch that, they do prosecute. Crap.

Is it in my interests to call the prosecutor now to try to work something out, well before they have to do the work of setting up a court date, or is it best to wait until such a date? Also, ive been told to investigate a "compromise of misdemeanor" which is described for my state http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=10.22 at that address - does anyone have any familiarity with this procedure? I don't think it will work out if they already decided to press charges, but it's worth doing

(i'm sure I'm asking dumb questions now but I'm more than a little worried at this point)

 

[thelawjournal]

Just because the store has a policy to prosecute does not mean they will. In most cases the filing of charges happens at time so stop and police called. You have an excellent chance they wont if they did not call police at time of stop. You should never call the Prosecutor yourself in an attempt to work out a deal. That can have disasterous results

 

[postbot]

Ok, good to know - and yes, there was not ever police involvement at any stage.

I didn't call a prosecutor, but I do have a friend who works in the court system (who's not very familiar with this sort of thing in particular) who said there's a program that if I qualify and if I complete I'll never get a criminal record.

So between the two things, I am incredibly relieved.

 

[postbot]

Ok, dumb question time again!

I know you said don't call the Prosecutor trying to cut a deal - and I don't intend to. But I figure the fastest way to find out if there are charges being pressed/in the works is to call them - right now I'm inbetween places (one lease ran out and another is yet to start, couch surfing!) so I don't have a fixed address I can put down for forwarding. My concern is that notice to appear (if one happens) will slip through the cracks and that's the last thing I want. Other than the prosecutor, I'm not sure who would be aware of any charges being brought against me - suggestions?

 

[thelawjournal]

Have your mail to sent to one address even if its to a P.O. Box. You need your mail anyhow

 

[postbot]

I guess I could go get a box - but most of the mail I get right now is junk mail. I do all my bills online, so there's nothing (other than this!) that I'm worried about not getting.

 

[thelawjournal]

All the more reason to have an address to mail this to. By the way what address did you give at time of stop? That is address any paperwork will be mailed to

 

[postbot]

A friend's, but I'm in contact with the recovery agency so when they have billing prepared I can just get it mailed wherever I am

 

[postbot]

Psht, recovery agency just mailed it to my old address despite me telling them I don't live there. I only got it because the old landlord was being nosy. Paid that off (the value of the items + 200, which is a bit steep for this state apparently, but whatever).

Now it's mroe the matter of charges that I'm worried about. What's a typical turnaround time on that?