QUESTION

Caught shoplifting, 19 yrs old? What are the consequences?

Asked on Feb 26th, 2013 on Expungements - California
More details to this question:
Caught shoplifting at cvs. No cops were called. They LP took my info down n made me sign a paper then let me go. Is there jail time? Fines? Probation? I stole under $9. I have a clean record. I don't know y I did but I regret doing it. What will happen?
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1 ANSWER

Criminal Attorney serving Hayward, CA at Louis J. Goodman
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You've listed your question under "Expungements," however there is nothing to expunge since there is no conviction. It is possible that CVS will handle this as an internal matter. I wonder what was on the paper you signed.  It may have simply been an agreement to stay out of the store in the future, and that would be a good idea anyway.  Or, they may turn it over to the police at a later date. The District Attorney has up to one year to file. In the mean time, you have no arrest and no conviction.   Petty Theft carries a maximum sentence of 6 months County Jail in California, Fines, and Probation.  Given the small amount of value involved, and your otherwise clean record, it is unlikely, in my view, that you would do any jail time. You might get a fine of a couple of hundred dollars and some probation.  The District Attorney could also reduce it to an infraction, a non-criminal offense carrying only a fine.   If you get a notice from the court, the district attorney, or the police, take it seriously and contact a local attorney to get further information about what is best to do.  Under no circumstances should you talk to any authority or investigator on your own.  What you say "can and will be used against you in a court of law."   My office is in Hayward and I handle Hayward Petty Theft cases and Alameda County Petty Theft cases on a regular basis. If you are in Alameda County, you are welcome to call me. I do not charge for an initial consultation. If you are in some other county, most criminal attorneys will speak to you at least once without fee. Take advantage of that.   Louis J. GoodmanAttorney at Law1290 B Street, Suite 307Hayward, California 94541510.582.9090www.louisgoodman.com    
Answered on Feb 27th, 2013 at 4:42 AM

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