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[Ecrofirt]

This is directly from my girlfriend. She typed it up just now, so please give her curteosy with your responses:

I was arrested for shoplifting this summer while on vacation in North Carolina. My court date is coming up soon, and my father is doing everything he can to try to see how everything works and see if there's any way to avoid the 10-hour drive down to North Carolina and to avoid me missing any of my college classes.

When my father spoke to the owner of the store I was arrested in, he told my father that he couldn't drop the charges--he explained that the charges were filed by him and by the police, and therefore he couldn't himself decide to drop them.

This seems fishy to me. If the store owner can't drop the charges himself, it basically seems like no charges can ever be dropped. Is there anyone who lives in North Carolina and is familiar enough with their legal system to clear this up for me? Anything you may know would be greatly appreciated.

She needs some serious answers, guys. Let's try and get some serious responses before you start piling on the jokes and whatnot.

 

[dem]

LOL

YOUR GIRLFRIEND WAS ARRESTED FOR SHOPLIFTING!

 

[swoon]

only her lawyer should need to be there, the store owner is able to drop the charges.

what did she steal?

 

[Ecrofirt]

My girlfriend -- I stole (well, tried to steal) 2 little dog figurines that amounted to like 20 dollars. Don't steal, it's not worth it lol.

I don't have a lawyer, but would it be a good idea to get one? The high cost is definitely an issue.

Are you sure he can drop the charges? I think he's just messing with my dad's head.

Thank you!!

 

[McLesterolBeast]

The store owner can drop the civil case at any time, but the criminal proceding it out of his hands at this point, i would guess.

 

[Teddman]

It's not out of his hands. If he refuses to testify, they have no case.

This is the foundation of the whole settlement system. Basically, pay him off and tell him to discontinue involvment with the criminal trial.

 

[Phoenix]

My girlfriend -- I stole (well, tried to steal) 2 little dog figurines that amounted to like 20 dollars. Don't steal, it's not worth it lol.

I don't have a lawyer, but would it be a good idea to get one? The high cost is definitely an issue.

Are you sure he can drop the charges? I think he's just messing with my dad's head.

Thank you!!

High cost is an issue but potentially going to jail or paying the fine associated with theft isn't? Are you fucking nuts! Get a damn attorney! The last thing you want to do is go into a court and represent yourself (criminal suit) against a D.A.. They will destroy you and leave you crying where you stand!

 

[shoplifter]

lol dont steal lol

 

[KingV]

haha, $20 dog figurines.

 

[Incognito]

rofl.

how the fuck did you get caught? my friends and I would make A&E and AF our personal little shoplifting havens back in hs.. those fucks were clueless!!

$20 figurines. :lol

 

[iapetus]

It's not out of his hands. If he refuses to testify, they have no case.

Except against him, for wasting police time.

 

[sc0la]

Umm, dump her?

 

[Takuan]

Maybe he just doesn't want to drop the charges and lied. If it were me, I'd see to it that your girlfriend was punished to the full extent of the law.

rofl.

how the fuck did you get caught? my friends and I would make A&E and AF our personal little shoplifting havens back in hs.. those fucks were clueless!!

$20 figurines. :lol

ROFL @ at rich kids stealing shit.

 

[Catalyst]

I live in NC, and unfortunately, there isn't jackshit you can do.

 

[Miburou]

Make him an offer he can't refuse.

 

[ChrisReid]

Damn, I hope you both get jail time.

 

[Ecrofirt]

Damn, I hope you both get jail time.

Maybe if you'd READ the post, you'd see that I didn't do a fucking thing. dimwit.

I live in NC, and unfortunately, there isn't jackshit you can do.

she wants to know if you can clarify a bit

 

[Catalyst]

Maybe if you'd READ the post, you'd see that I didn't do a fucking thing. dimwit.


she wants to know if you can clarify a bit

NC is in the middle of the Bible belt. But not only that, this state may be a bit redneck-ish in some areas, but the law holds you accountable to most degrees, and theft is no exception. She did the crime, she needs to do what the law requires her to do. Weasling her way out of it detracts from character, and the smart leaders of my state know this.

She needs to get it done and move on with her life.

 

[Doth Togo]

Get an attorney, have her counsel represent you, show up in court with her attorney and plea bargain. Settle out of court. If you're lucky, she can get probation and a fine. Be nice to them and do whatever it takes to get the charges downgraded. That's all she can do.

Worst case scenario, she gets jail time. Bottom line is, though, she'll have a criminal record which will go with her forever.

The shop owner COULD drop the charges if he/she wanted to... So the line about them not being able to drop them is a load of shit.

 

[Escape Goat]

:lol

Big enough to steal from someone but not big enough to take the punishment. Typical of today's youth.

 

[Nerevar]

As has been mentioned, the storekeeper can refuse to testify (i.e. not show up) and the charges will be dropped. That being said, your girlfriend still has to appear in court for this, as refusing to show up for a criminal trial is another crime ... or something (I'm not a lawyer).

 

[ManDudeChild]

:lol

Big enough to steal from someone but not big enough to take the punishment. Typical of today's youth.

IAWTP

She should be punished for stealing.

 

[Azih]

I guess your best bet is to go the shopowner and try to get on his good side, I think he'd only pursue this as a matter of principle and if your gf shows she's sufficiently cowed and sorry he might not show up to get the charges dropped.

Of course, can he get into trouble for not showing up? What kind gaffers?

 

[aoi tsuki]

Aside from signing up for Prepaid Legal (www.prepaidlegal.com) service, i've got nothing helpful to offer. So...

*runs*