How serious is the 150 shoplifting fee and what are the consequences of not paying it?

Question

About a month ago me and my friend got caught shoplifting(he took a belt or something equally stupid) and I had a $7 drink. Kmart actually pressed charges against me(I have a court date for....$7) and I also have to pay $150 fee. However, my lawyer is quite good so I know the charge will get dropped in court. Should I still pay the $150 fee?

Answer 1

my friend if you get pick for shoplifting, the first time, may get find and that is a favor to you by the judge,if you do not pay the fine, then you go in  jell .  

Answer 2

--- Is this fee from the court or from Kmart? Kmart has a practice of demanding a civil penalty for shoplifting cases. They notify you and your parents, if you are a minor, that if you do not pay the civil penalty they will sue you in civil small claims court for something like 5 times the amount.

--- I am not sure if they can do both, that is have you charged in criminal court AND in civil court, but i don't see why they couldn't. It's done in traffic cases all the time, in fact if you plead guilty or are found guilty in criminal court it makes it almost a sure thing that you will lose in civil court because criminal court has a higher burden and they use the finding of guilt to show you were found guilty in another court.

--- You need to have your attorney advise you if the fee is from the courts or Kmart. If from Kmart it means you will get sued if you fail to pay. In criminal court it could mean a couple days in jail or maybe community service.

Answer 3

Not paying the fee will speak to your character and that could influence the case in a negative way and be the difference between a few hours community service and a serious lesson for you. You may be contemptous of being prosecuted for a $7 drink - but you must NEVER show anything but a confidence that you have learned your lesson and will never do it again to the court.

Answer 4

WEll you can be prevented from getting a job with a Theft charge on you.

I would pay the fee and get an attorney if you are underage it can be taken off your permenant record, if not, then I would pay it !

You attorney will also tell you to pay it, they are entitled to it, and you can make payment arrangements with them to make payments. Sometimes they never prosecute you if you pay it.

Spencers dropped one against my son because we paid the $250.00 fee.

Answer 5

Oh, you took their stuff and they actually pressed charges?

The nerve.  

Does not sound like you get it.  

Continue to not follow the rules and do what you want. Then you can find out for sure how serious is is.

Answer 6

Well... you would have probabally just a few hours of community service. Yeah... you should pay the $150 fee because if you don't they can press more charges. Pay it and don't hang out with stupid people.