I was caught shoplifting at Safeway in San Mateo County, CA in December. The in-house security wrote up a report, took my photo and i.d. info and said I couldn't come back to the store for a month. On January 20th, I received a demand letter from Safeway's attorney for $250. I am on social security disability and can't afford to pay this. What are my legal remedies with regard to paying this? What else will happen besides this demand? I am very scared. I am in chronic pain and on a lot of medications and I didn't mean to do it. Thank you for any advice. p.s. one attorney I talked to said not to pay the demand. Should I write a letter explaining my financial status?
As far as I know...SSDI is NOT available to be seized. Our "IN-STORE LP" gets the POLICE involved...YOUR LUCKY!!!
Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please "MOST" people would just PAY to get rid of the LAWYER...some people are afraid of lawyers MORE THAN THE POLICE!!!
Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please Unfortunately I don't have the money. Most months I can't even buy food and have to go to a free food closet. The merchandise was worth under $30. I think this is extortion. Susan P.
Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please You have the LAWYERS ADDRESS...write them and say you are VERY SORRY and you are on SSDI and can't pay... If your city has any kind of LEGAL AID...I suggest you check with them... SHOPLIFTING TAKES MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET
I'm confused. When they caught you, didn't they get the merchandise back? how can you owe them anything?
Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please SHOPLIFTING can cost $1,000+ EVEN IF THEY GET THE STUFF BACK!!!!
Re: Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please [font= gary coleman (aka, arnold)]whuchoo talkin bout GEORGE?[font] lol
Re: Re: Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please Misdemeanors are primarily offenses with a maximum punishment of a $1,000 fine and a county jail term of 1 year or less. However, there are some offenses which exceed this general criteria; for example, spousal abuse can carry a higher maximum fine. Examples of a misdemeanor violation are: shoplifting (depending upon the value of merchandise), prostitution, vandalism, and driving under the influence.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please THAT WAS $1,000 + A YEAR IN JAIL!!!!!!! MAXIMUM...
Re: Re: Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please I LIED!!!!!! Retail Theft (Shoplifting) 1 Any person committing the first offense of retail theft when the value of the merchandise is less than $100 is guilty of a summary offense. Maximum penalties: $300 fine and/or ninety days in jail. 2. Upon conviction of a second offense when the value of the merchandise is less than $100, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree. Maximum penalties: $5,000 and/or two years in jail. 3. Upon commission of third or any subsequent offense, regardless of the value of the merchandise, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. Maximum penalties: $10,000 and/or five years in jail. 4. When the value of the merchandise shall be $100 or more, any person who shall commit the offense of retail theft, whether the same shall be a first or subsequent offense, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. Maximum penalties: $10,000 and/or five years in jail. 5. In all cases involving conviction of retail theft, the defendant is required by law to be fingerprinted, and those fingerprints are subsequently turned over to the Pennsylvania State Police. I GUESS IT REALLY IS YMMV THAT IS $10,000 AND/OR 5 YEARS IN JAIL!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please REPEAT You have the LAWYERS ADDRESS...write them and say you are VERY SORRY and you are on SSDI and can't pay... If your city has any kind of LEGAL AID...I suggest you check with them...
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please I'm not sure I would admit liability tho George. .
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please "WITH-OUT ADMITTING LIABILITY--I HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY THE AMOUNT YOU WANT BECAUSE I AM ON SSDI" ...or something to that fact
They can only fine you if you are convicted of something - you weren't prosecuted. Contact legal aid - here's a link to the one in your county. They can give you good advice, and help you. http://www.legalaidsmc.org/ Sounds like you also need some other services. Do you have to pay for your medicines? The drug companies have programs for people who can't afford medications. I can give you a link to the documents you should take to your doctor. Are you on medicaid or mediCal? Do you get any other assistance? Housing? Food? There are services available for these things if you are not getting them, we can point you to the right places.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Bill for shoplifting -- help please Legal aid won't help in this type of case. Susan P.
