You're already caught, is what you need to understand. Target is well aware you have shoplifted. Hell, most stores are. Policy is to not confront shoplifters because for every thousand who will be confronted, one will cause serious harm to the employee confronting them. Usually out of panic, in my experience, but that's not very comforting to the employee who just got a concussion from getting hit in the head with a lamp. The employees usually don't have health insurance either, because corporate makes sure to keep them scheduled to only so many hours a week, so they don't qualify.
Thus, they will not confront you. But the cameras sure as fuck caught you, and Target does not cut corners in that department. They keep their shit up to date, monitored, and functioning.
What they do is keep track of the frequent offenders. Because shoplifting $50 [USD] worth of goods is just a misdemeanor. Massachusetts has actually set into place a separate law regarding shoplifting, making it different from theft; anything below $250 is a misdemeanor, no jail time. But most states do not have the separate categories. Shoplifting is theft, legally, and the limit is about $500 before it becomes a felony. But theft is always a more serious crime legally in terms of consequences, and you do risk jail time even for a first time offense. You could get it for a misdemeanor if you get a judge that's a particular kind of asshole.
Target makes sure you've committed felony-level theft before they bust you. They record you every time and keep a tally. So you might think you're in the clear, because you've gotten away clean several times. Only for the cops to be waiting for you outside the next time, or worse, show up at your door with a warrant for your arrest that night. [There are cameras in the parking lot too, and your license plate is registered to your address] Target will not drop it either. They will pursue charges. You will absolutely want a lawyer, because they will definitely be using one. A felony doesnāt go away in the United States. You will not be able to change your name legally in the future for any reason without a judge's approval, if at all. You will not be able to adopt children. You will be excluded from adopting from some animal shelters. You will be automatically turned down from pretty much every entry level job for at least five years. You will be denied approval to rent housing. And if you get busted for anything else [speeding, possession of personal use recreational drugs, loitering], you don't get to go home. You're automatically assumed guilty by the cops and you will be a target for quotas.
And if you're leaning on, "well, I'm 14/15, I'm a minor", you will not go down alone. If you are a minor, and a friend or relative who is 21+ is with you, they can be charged too, whether or not they even knew what you were doing. And they can actually face worse consequences than you, because they'll be charged not only as an adult, hell, they might tack on "corruption of a minor" charges. Again, despite the fact your 23yo cousin who just gave you a ride had no idea what you were doing, they will be the one paying the price for your crime. Anyone accompanying you can be charged, but it's especially a problem if they are legally an adult and you are not.
If you are confronted by the police, remember the rules.
If "no", the next question is "Am I free to leave?"
If "yes", you are to say clearly, without slang or attitude, "I want a lawyer. Until a lawyer is present, I am exercising my fifth amendment right to remain silent."
And then you shut the fuck up. You answer questions during booking related to your health, such as if you're an insulin-dependent diabetic. You do not speak about the crime you've been arrested for ["what are you here for?" "I've requested a lawyer, and I am not going to comment until I have spoken with a lawyer."], and you do not provoke. The "one phone call" thing is fiction. Your phone call limit is set by the cops and whether or not they're being a particular jackass.
1.) The calls. Are. Recorded. The calls are recorded. They are recorded. They are recorded and monitored. "I am being held at [jail]. I was taken into custody/arrested at [time]. I requested a lawyer immediately. I am still waiting for the lawyer. I can't talk about anything until I see the lawyer."
2.) If not calling your lawyer, call someone you can depend on to take care of your life, whether you like them or not. If your father is a judgmental asshole, but you know he will absolutely be a Responsible Party, that's who you call. Make the arrangements needed quickly. If your kids need to be taken care of, if your pets need care, etc. Your work needs to be called. The person doing this for you needs to lie, btw. There's been a family emergency. Which isn't actually a lie. ["What kind?" "I can't discuss that right now. We don't have all the details yet. Thank you for understanding, we appreciate your compassion." And then they hang up.]
3.) If you're lucky, your appointed lawyer can get you out of jail on your own recognizance. You will have a trial date. In the meantime, you need to find a criminal lawyer who specializes in shoplifting/theft charges. Contact your local Legal Aid. Ask for help. Be honest with the lawyer.
4.) Don't talk to anyone but the lawyer about the pending case. You can say "I was accused of shoplifting. But it's not smart to talk about it."
5.) Make a plan for if you get jail time. Appoint a legal guardian for your kids, make plans to rehome pets. Do not allow utility bills/rent to put you even more in debt. Legal Aid can help you with what resources are available to you.
6.) Don't shoplift from Target. They'll ruin your life.
ellievsbear
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