I am being charged because I stole from my employer...will I go to jail?

Question

I was terminated from my job for refund fraud. Basically, I would pretend to refund money..take the money and then on my next pay, I would pay back the money. I know this was wrong. They called the police. The police did not arrest me. The police told me the company would be laying a charge of fraud under 5000 on me so I would need to make a statement to the police. I have never been in trouble with the law. I am married and have a 3 year old. I am 6 months pregnant. Will I go to jail?

Answer 1

No you will not go to jail.  Since you have no criminal record, and are pregnant and already have a 3 year old.....you may be given restitution and probation for a year, or you may be placed under a conditional sentence like house arrest.  But you will not go to jail.

Answer 2

Unless you have convictions in the past, you aren't likely to go to jail - will more likely end up with some combination of probation, fines and/or community service.

Answer 3

WOW! I'm sorry to hear this. With the economy as bad as it is though its no surprise that these things are happening. If you really paid it all of it back (which I'm having a hard time believing that you did pay it back) what did you go and purchase 5000.00 worth of items from that store or did you just stick the money back in the register? How are you going to prove that you did pay it bacl? Anyway they might be more lineate if you did pay the money back, but I'm pretty sure you could be looking at some prison time. Get a lawyer, see what your options are, do just sit and do nothing you have two babies that need you. Yes you made a mistake, learn from it get through this and NEVER do anything like this again. Best of luck!    

Answer 4

Did the police officer write a you a ticket and did you make a statement to them?.  Also, were you read your miranda?  If no then it is likely that your temination is all that will happen especially if there is not loss to the company.. Usually the only companies that prosecute are really large ones but even then they will do the math.  If the loss is under 5000 it will cost them more than that in lawyer fees to see you in court.  It is possible it is a scare tactic.  How old are you?  Maybe you have an addition problem that you can use a a basis for deminished capacity.  Never the less make sure to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  Hope you have learned that big brother is watching even when at work...ETHICS people very important in the workplace....

Answer 5

No I don't think so.  It sounds like you  paid the money back and if that is true then you probably will not even go to court.  You should talk to your employer and make sure they are in agreement that you did pay back all of the money.  If not you need to work a pay back plan in lieu of them pressing charges.  Good Luck.

Answer 6

When the police came to your job, they were gathering evidence and getting the initial information. If your employer is pressing charges, it takes time to get the warrant together (sometimes several weeks) and they can't arrest you until they have that.

After they arrest you, you'll have a date set to appear before a judge.  This could be a couple of days or weeks. Usually, the judge will just listen to the charges and decide whether you can be bailed out. Depending on what the judge says, they'll hold you until you post bail or bond or, if the jail is too crowded, they might let you out. I wouldn't count on that because the women's jail is usually less crowded than the men's.

After that first hearing, the judge will set another date for you to come back and enter a plea.

My advice to you is spend this time finding a good lawyer. They may be able to work with your ex-employer on a settlement or a plea after charges are entered.

Answer 7

Probably not, but you will have this on your record permanently so kiss goodbye any job working in the banking industry or any job where you'll be handling money.  I used to work for Victoria's secret and a girl was terminated for that very same reason (must be easy to do I guess) I believe she did get in trouble but did not go to jail.  The company (if you owe them any money) will pursue for the money if not then I doubt they'll press for you to go to jail.

Answer 8

I dont where you located, but your a mother and you made a very bad judgement call. You should never steal from your employer. Period. Now your pregnant and will have to go to court numerous times, and this is going to cause you a lot of stress. I dont know your living situtation either, but what the h**l were you thinking, huh? If I was the arresting cop, I would haul you in and threw your fat butt in jail. Your a thief and it will be a part of your record, so good luck trying to find another job now. Now you can stay home and get on welfare and suck money out of the system, costing tax payers hard earn dollars. Never been in trouble with the law, well welcome to the club now. And if that is 5000 american dollars, your looking at doing 5 to 10 max in prison. The crime you commited is called grand larceny and it not a petty crime. Use some logic next and do the right thing. Hope this serves a good lession to you for stealing.

Answer 9

Mostly likely you will.

Answer 10

A fraud under $5000.00 conviction usually does not result in jail time in Canada right now unless there are other factors such as an extensive criminal record for similar offences, etc.  Depends on the flavour of the day with the judges, but you will probably receive a fine/probation or something comparable.