Re: PETTY THEFT CALIFORNIA PANICKING PLEASE HELP
Posted by Ray on 5/12/08

Hi ,
I found this forum by serching in google .
The problem you had happens exactly to me yesterday.
I had some food ($59) in my cart, I was busy with my cell
phone and I went out of store(Lucky) and try to call to my
family, the security guard stopped me and told me that you
shouldnt outside with the items . So I explained to them, I
didn't have intention for stealing . The Police came and gave
me a citation for petty theft (484/488) . Now I should go to
court in July.
Any suggestion would be appriciated, I'm very worry for any
background check (I'm trying to get a new job) . Hope your
issue was solved . Please help me ..
Regards,
Ray
-----------------------

On 9/28/05, PHM777 wrote:
>
> Yesterday I made the biggest mistake in my life.
> I am a first time offender and this is the first thing
> that ever on my record. I am 19 years old and a college
> student on financial aid.
> I did try to shoplift something thinking that I would be
> able to get away with it. The item was a $16 coin purse
> from Urban Outfitters. I can honestly say that I don't
> know how exactly it happened. I saw it, I wanted it and I
> did put it in my purse, but I thought I took it out
> because obviously I would get in trouble for the act. So I
> did have an intention to take it initially but i thought i
> had taken it out of my bag. Of course since the fact of
> the matter was that I didn't the security alarm went off
> when I went through the door and I was lead to the back to
> be questioned etc. I did not admit to anything except that
> I don't know how exactly this happened. The police officer
> came and gave me a citation for petty theft 484. I did not
> make any kind of statement. Also the store gave me this
> thing where I can't trespass for 3 years and also that
> they are going to sue me. The manager asked me to sign
> something, but I wanted to do it in front of the police,
> but he ended up forgetting or something because he didn't
> ask me to sign it. The only thing I signed was the ticket
> from the police. After doing research on my situation I
> have a lot of things to ask.
>
> So here's my first question.
>
> 1. How much do you think the store can reasonably sue me
> for? On the paper they gave me it says that it takes into
> consideration the possible damges, whether the item was
> damages or rendered non-saleable, costs of security, and
> other restitutions permitted by law. I also read the penal
> code and it said that they can sue me for up to 500 or
> something?
>
> 2. Is it possible for me to be charged for an infraction
> or is this for sure a misdemeanor? And can I find that out
> before I actually go to the court date? Because the item
> was $16 and I want to know if it's better for me to hire a
> lawyer now or get appointed a public defender. I probably
> cannot afford a lawyer.
> The penal code says :
> 490.1. (a) Petty theft, where the value of the money,
> labor, real
> or personal property taken is of a value which does not
> exceed fifty
> dollars ($50), may be charged as a misdemeanor or an
> infraction, at
> the discretion of the prosecutor, provided that the person
> charged
> with the offense has no other theft or theft-related
> conviction.
>
> 3. Is it better for me to find out if I'm charged with an
> infraction or is it better to contact the DA now and see
> if I can get into a pretrial diversion program. And I feel
> like I have to make the decision before my court date on
> Oct 11. The most important thing for me is to not have
> this on my record and I'm wondering what would be better.
> I know that both will have some remainder on my record,
> but how long will it be before that goes away?
>
> 4. For a pretrial diversion, is it better to hire a lawyer
> or get a public defender and have him go through with it?
> And do I have to pay for these classes? And how much will
> it cost for the classes? I've heard that the lawyer fee
> for arranging a pretrial is $1500 +
>
> 5. I am a college student on financial aid and loans. Is
> this going to affect that status?
>
> 6. How do I go about talking to or acquiring a public
> defender before this arraignment?
>
> 7. Does my intent of not really intending to steal it
> account for doubt of any kind or am I automatically
> considered in the act because they caught me?
>
> 7. If I successfully complete a diversion, will it be gone
> from my record?
>
> 8. What should I plead if I am charged with an infraction?
> What is the difference between no contest and pleading
> guilty?
>
> At this time I have not received any other documentation
> from either the store or the court.
> I know there are many similar cases and posts in this
> forum but I wanted to get some more specific answers to my
> situation. i've read through many and I'm still not sure.
> Thank you very much and please answer ASAP.

Posts on this thread, including this one

• PETTY THEFT CALIFORNIA PANICKING PLEASE HELP, 9/28/05, by PHM777.
• Re: PETTY THEFT CALIFORNIA PANICKING PLEASE HELP, 2/28/06, by Meredith.
• Re: PETTY THEFT CALIFORNIA PANICKING PLEASE HELP, 2/28/06, by M'sta Mikey.
• Re: PETTY THEFT CALIFORNIA PANICKING PLEASE HELP, 3/01/06, by M'sta Mikey.
• Re: PETTY THEFT CALIFORNIA PANICKING PLEASE HELP, 5/12/08, by Ray.