Caught Shoplifting $260 Worth In New Jersey

[Oswald]

Hi, I know this is all going to seem like every other story on here, but I really need help. Some background info on me, my husband is a high ranking police officer in a neighboring state. We have been having marital problems for sometime now. I have been severly depressed lately,due to life I guess. We had what seemed like the perfect life..two kids living in the suburbs, our precious daughter was taken from us when she was just a few months over four. She had a brain tumor, that would not shrink with all of the chemo in the world, there was a slight chance of her surviving an operation, but she passed away just before she was scheduled for surgery. Our other daughter was just 2.5, when all of this occured, she is now 3.5, and recently started having seizures like her sister did around this time, after several test,they have found a small tumor, they say they will know more after a few more test, but it sounds like what my other daughter had. I was up until 2 weeks ago 21 weeks pregnant with a boy, who I miscarried after getting rear ended by an unlicensed, uninsured driver who was DUI, he was arrested, but I lost my son, which I found was the only reason my husband was sticking around. He packed up, and left on November 29th, a week after my accident, and a day before the anniversary of our daughter's death.His girlfriend was waiting. I had no business shopping that day, and I know it, and even though I was in no mood for Christmas, I could not deprive my little girl from seeing Santa, so out to the mall we went, we had lunch, saw Santa, took pictures,I did some window shopping, then I walked into a high end beauty store, one in which I hadn't been in such a long time, this was where I made one of several mistakes. My daughter suffers from seizures, which are often violent,so she rides in a stroller for that reason. Her seizures start up unexpectly, and leave her too weak to walk. Lately they seem more pronounced in spite of the anti seizure medications she has tried, so far two.When shopping I usually put my items on the canopy of my stroller, but lately, she will either pull the canopy down, thus dropping the items, and often time breaking them, or if she begins to spasm, they fall to the ground. The last time it happened was at a family owned drug store, where a candle, and ceramic vase were shattered, scaring her, as well others. I insisted on paying, although the owners were very simpathetic. So recently I have divised a solution to that problem. I use a beach mesh bag, that one can clearly see the merchandise in to carry whatever items I am buying, and hang it on a hook on my stroller. I have used it everywhere from department stores, to grocery stores, and never had a problem, until this day. I walked in, and selected a few items for my father, mother, sisters, and aunt, and placed all but two smaller items in the bag. I kept those on the top of my Jacket because I was unsure of them, I was in the store all but 2 minutes, when suddenly I am being watched, and followed, by three security/sales people, mind you the last time I ever stole anything was when I was 13, and my parents beat the crap outta me, it was, funny enough.. for a lip gloss at a drug store, and that ended my career in a hurry. I do not remember all that followed from this moment on, because I was got so nervous, I started sweating, and feeling dizzy, then my daughter threw a fit, and up, and down the aisles I went, feeling like a criminal, and not sure why. The items were in plain view. I wanted to ditch the items in my bag, but I couldn't, they were on me like white on rice, and me being so nervous, I was afraid that if i did that, they would just jump on me, and cuff me, and my daughter would start having a seizure..crazy now to think that, but at the time, that was all I thought, so what did stupid me do? Well I paid for the items in plain view, even though the other items were clearly there. Thankfully those two items that I paid for almost amounted to the same total as the five items I had in my so called "booster bag", so in other words it could have been worse, as in 3rd degree which oddly enough in the sate of NJ goes from over $500.00 to $75,000.00. So as I am walking out I am told that although I tried to do the right thing back there, I still need to come to the back, and discuss the other items that I have. I should have just thrown the bag at him, and kept walking...my daughter was twitching, I was scared, I went back to the back room, with a male, and female, my bags were searched, and pockets too. I gave them my license, they saw my husband's business card, and asked me if he was LEO, which I enformed them yes. I was trying to explain myself, and offer to just pay for the items, but they just dialed the police anyway, they had me sign a civil form..from which I am guesssing they will fine me. The cops came, they treated me with nothing but respect. I begged them not to call my husband..they said they would not. They fingerprinted me, photographed me, and issued me a green summons..one even gave my daughter a lolipop, they never cuffed me, they told me to explain to the DA that I am a LEO wife who did not want her husand notified..first offense. I am sorry for going on, and on..just venting since I have no one to vent to. My question is my court date is set for Wed. I do not have an attorney, nor do I work, the house is under my husbands name. I was just going to go to what I guess will be my arraignment, with my daughter..(no one to watch her) try to talk to the DA, and see if I can get a diversion, not sure if that is an option in NJ..plead not guilty, and request a public defender. I am charged with one count of fourth degree shoplifting, what are my chances for dismissal?Do the LP guys have to be present during my arraignment for the charges to stand? Will they also charge me with the civil fine, if the criminal charges are dismissed? Please help,I do not need any more drama in my life..I think I have had enough..Thank you

[BwIch]

Ok, I am back on here, sorry for posting my life story on my last post. I am being charged with shoplifting 4th degree, first offense in NJ. My husband is a LEO, who does not know. I do not have money for an attorney. My Court date is for later today Wed. I am wondering if the store LP need to go to court, and if they don't will the charges be dropped? Should I try to talk to the DA, and explain my situation.(see previous post for reference)? Any idea about the fines? Will I be charged with civil suit, if criminal gets dismissed? What are my chances of getting a public defender, I do not work, house is under husband's name? I was planning on pleading not guilty, and praying for a diversion, is there such a thing in NJ? and lastly, although, my husband left me he is plaqued with guilt, would telling him, and bring him with me to court help, being a high ranking LEO. Thank you!

[valentino]

Thank you Panther, I will most definately do that. I wasn't sure if that was an option in NJ. I did recieved the court notice, and it will now be in fact a pre-indictment conference. Does that mean that I am going to be indicted, or is that the county term for arraignment? What are the chances if any that this will be sent back to municipal court? (1 count 4th degree shoplifting) I am more scared than ever now. I have a week to file my application for a public defender, which I plan on doing this Monday. My new court date is January 10th. Any advice from now until then will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again..

[All]

Thanks for the response USEDBRANFLAKES, I enjoy the guidance. Heading against all my stubborn pride, as well as in vengeance all the injured over my several deficits in the last couple of years, in addition to my partners several matters. I did so actually admit to him my error, a couple of days before. He actually blames herself completely for my steps, declaring he quit me after I required him most, as well as for accusing me for issues properly beyond my handle. He explained he'd attempt to assist me in whichever means he might. Officially there's nothing he is able to do, because the summons continues to be created, and delivered to the prosecutor, this isn't in his region anyhow, so he's uncertain of the way the courtroom works there. He was nevertheless agreed to view our child on Thursday, I had been likely to consider her to courtroom with me, but she was using up in temperature, and so I named him, and he could not make it, and so I was not likely to pull her to an arraignment, and so I named to reschedule, and was informed that it was an indictable crime, and likely to be delivered to the region, and that I ought to be recieving a notice from outstanding judge on when to look. he explained I had been silly for calling, and determining myself, since today it's more severe, and likely to county.I must have simply not found up? He hung-up, before any solution. This guy, that has destroyed my confidence, period, and time again, and that I put my heart out to him, has once again burned me. I don't understand what to complete today. I suppose I'll delay, and find out when this notice comes, and seem, but still opt for looking to get a public defense, and asking not liable. Any guidance experience free.thanks.still in limbo

[Talford]

When you meet with your public defender (if you qualify) ask him/her about options like diversion

[Attlee]

I am sorry that my post is too long, I will a make a shorter request. Thank you for your reply anyway.

[Hanniel]

Your post is next to impossible to read. Few people are going to be able to get through that huge block of text without their eyes going screwy.

[Martinus]

Thanks, Usedbranflakes, for both your guidance, as well as for your display of compassion. It's been an extremely tough year or two, unfortunately my spouseis adultery may be the least of my concerns at this time,I'm more saddened, by his insufficient feeling, and complete envy within the span of dropping our firstborn, dropping our unborn, and now bailing on his child, who'll be going right through nightmare within the next couple of months. I guess I'm no better within the eyes of regulations, by making this new issue, by which I'll somehow endure, and go above. I've been likely to a doctor, because the lack of my child, and was identified as medical frustrated, and that I have now been on Effexor since that time, with fairly good outcomes, till lately. I'm not below to get a shame party, even though it is nice when visitors display sympathy.sad, but good. Unfortunate that it generally does not actually appear to come from the ones that it will originate from. Today getting back again to this Region(public) vs Exceptional court program, have you been stating that my situation includes a greater possibility of obtaining reduced, and sometimes even ignored in Exceptional courtroom? I actually do understand that the surfaces wish to simply shut instances, ie get guilty pleas, gather their penalties, and move ahead to another situation. I understand that for them I'm only a summons quantity, as well as in the ocean of offenses, I suppose I'm little carrots, but in my experience this cost simply appears largerthanlife at this time. Section of me simply really wants to simply ask guilty, and close this section, and move ahead, but I understand that I can't, won't plead guilty, since once my breakup experiences I'll want to get back to my type of function, that will be sales. And so I imagine my issue is could it be better easily pull this situation on, and on, ignore it to test, and hope that at that time this shop chooses to fall costs, or simply hit a request, any plea reduced than what I'm charged with. I understand I ought to be preserving each one of these concerns for my lawyer, but I can't wait til then. Thanks again.

[Kevis]

In my own throat of the woods State Courtroom, also known as "recorders court" may be the lower court and Exceptional may be the higher court. Given, inside your throat of the woods the Region might combat these tougher than Exceptional courtroom. <br />
Pay attention to your public defense, but confidence they would like to understand this situation out-of their fingers and off their docket. Encourage them to keep in touch with the DA for diversion. If this is actually the 2nd period you've been captured as your teenagers you might want to think about some professional guidance. Several police divisions have free guidance applications for partners or insurance that gives $xxxx each year. Ensure that this program is one where the info remains between you and also the decrease (so long as it's not-self-harmful or is likely to be harmful to a different person).<br />
Sorry to listen to about your spouse's adultery. I notice about police cheating constantly from officers as well as parents of officials. It is a difficult work and it's unfortunate they split the confidence of the partners. It occurs. It just happened after I would college in WV. Police main (married) and his administrator (also married, to an official I believe). That's, however, not highly relevant to this article. Sorry that you're going right through this.

[Osip]

Talking as somone who worked in gas, visited university for CJ, and invested time having a large amount of LE; your spouse will discover out. Believe me on that. I can not anticipate how (in the hotel, in the lockerroom, studying the the courtroom for that week to determine who'll be there and which of his pals are becoming overtime for Holiday). He'll discover out.<br />
It'd be greater he discover from you and maintain what confidence he's in the place of discover from the pal, or his boss, or perhaps a security lawyer that understands him and it has befriended him.<br />
Additionally, he might probably draw some favors that obtain the costs decreased and decrease the sting to his budget! That which you did influences his salary and never yours because you really are a stayathome mother. Yes, that's a complete-time work that gives in benefits of greater kids, a pleasant house, and anyone to look after the kid. ...however it doesn't spend in cold-hard money. That's what this really is likely to price. A couple of hundred for that municipal remediation, one thousand for that protection lawyer, and some hundred for court.