Going to Jail - Charged with Grand Theft :(

Don't worry, man. If it is just jail no big deal. And if they are anything like they are out here (over crowded) you'll do 3/4 time max.

Shit happens.

i'd claim insanity

EDIT: This is mainly in response to winterwoman or whatever your name was.

I gotta love those who judge me and the hypocrites. The positive posts outweigh the negative. I got LAID OFF from my job. I didn't say I did anything because I was high, I simply stated that I drank before doing what I did. Maybe I also ingested 6mg of Alprazolam prior to the incident. It doesn't matter to you and it doesn't matter to me.

I've never had anything stolen from me??? You don't know me and you don't know anything about me really. I don't care to prove anything to you or anyone else on this forum.

The people with no money don't shop at walmart, we shop at Aldi - somewhere I would never steal from, even though the security is less than half that of walmart. I have already paid more than double the price of the stuff I stole. I'm also a better person for it and I have no regrets. I will never steal anything again, as I said in my original post I despise thieves both through experience and principal.

Walmart not only got the items back (as I posted in the original post that you clearly didn't read) but they are making money off of me. I am NOT the reason anything is going up at walmart. People steal from walmart everyday and get away with it - they are the ones driving the price up if anyone. Clearly I'm not a regular thief as the police were notified and on the scene about half an hour before I even attempted to leave the store.

If I had not been arrested for simple possession of Cannabis 3 times, this would be a walk in the park and it would be dropped to a misdemeanor.

Luckily I will most likely have Adjudication Withheld (again stated in my original post), meaning I can seal and expunge this from my record. So unless I want a government job or a job at a business that works for the gov. where you need security clearance, I'll be fine.

Thanks for the positive comments everyone. I wasn't doing so well last night, and after reading the positive comments I was smiling again. I ended up taking a 10 mile walk after that to contemplate things and how I will move forward with my life. It was a good night.

Thanks again RIU

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I was hesitant about posting last night, didn't really feel I had anything constructive to add to the conversation but I can see you are struggling.

What you've done was stupid but understandable to a degree. I've never told anyone this but I've shopliffted food in the past. It was when I was young, stupid and desperate. I couldn't afford to eat and made some terrible decisions like dealing at festivals (high risk) to pay rent and stealing food on the side. I felt like a horrible human and I'm sure you do to.

The point I'm making is that although not everyone will understand, many will. Work on changing the situation. You need to make sure you can provide for yourself without having to resort to desperate measures. It'll be hard but you can do it.

The fact that you feel guilty is a good thing but don't let it eat you up and the girl. She may never look at you the same way but again that may be something you have to come to terms with.

Honestly man, good luck in whatever happens.

However, you shall be judged by a jury of your peers.

dr.gonzo1 said:

I was hesitant about posting last night, didn't really feel I had anything constructive to add to the conversation but I can see you are struggling.

What you've done was stupid but understandable to a degree. I've never told anyone this but I've shopliffted food in the past. It was when I was young, stupid and desperate. I couldn't afford to eat and made some terrible decisions like dealing at festivals (high risk) to pay rent and stealing food on the side. I felt like a horrible human and I'm sure you do to.

The point I'm making is that although not everyone will understand, many will. Work on changing the situation. You need to make sure you can provide for yourself without having to resort to desperate measures. It'll be hard but you can do it.

The fact that you feel guilty is a good thing but don't let it eat you up and the girl. She may never look at you the same way but again that may be something you have to come to terms with.

Honestly man, good luck in whatever happens.

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Thank you very much for sharing. I appreciate your honesty.

I don't blame her really, I just wish I had a chance to maybe explain myself or? She has a family now and I'm sure she doesn't want anything like this around her children.

Thanks again.

dannyboy602 said:

I think you're better than the mistake you made. If you hadn't lost your job this would've never happened. you're not a thief any more than I am a drug dealer. You have a great attitude and I think you'll end up a better man than before. Sucks that your friend dumped you. All you can do is apologize and hope for the best. My feeling is if she won't speak to you then it's her problem and she was never a good friend to begin with. Friends stick together during times of crises. She kicked you to the curb. Now you know her true colors. She'll be your friend as long as you live up to her expectations. Sheez, what a bitch. And lastly, Balzac, you're an asshole.

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Exactly! Great post. She wasn't exactly a close friend, we were nominated and won prom King and Queen in middle school. Anyways, all of my friends who know me better than her - they support me.

There are a lot of hypocrites on RIU, the vast majority of the members grow illegally myself included so don't worry about the negative comments, focus on the positive ones.

fr3d12 said:

There are a lot of hypocrites on RIU, the vast majority of the members grow illegally myself included so don't worry about the negative comments, focus on the positive ones.

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That's exactly what I'm doing. I just wanted to open-up and see what everyone had to say. I appreciate every comment really, negative or positive. Like I said before the positive will always overcome the negative.

dr.gonzo1 said:

I was hesitant about posting last night, didn't really feel I had anything constructive to add to the conversation but I can see you are struggling.

What you've done was stupid but understandable to a degree. I've never told anyone this but I've shopliffted food in the past. It was when I was young, stupid and desperate. I couldn't afford to eat and made some terrible decisions like dealing at festivals (high risk) to pay rent and stealing food on the side. I felt like a horrible human and I'm sure you do to.

The point I'm making is that although not everyone will understand, many will. Work on changing the situation. You need to make sure you can provide for yourself without having to resort to desperate measures. It'll be hard but you can do it.

The fact that you feel guilty is a good thing but don't let it eat you up and the girl. She may never look at you the same way but again that may be something you have to come to terms with.

Honestly man, good luck in whatever happens.

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i completely agree, and i have surely done some really, really, really, really shitty things in my past, and i mean really fucked and shitty to the tenth degree.. but hey, ime, life happens, when i was born i never got a play book telling me how to live everyday and never make a mistake, that's for sure.. good for those of us that have and never made a mistake, i'm not one of those people..
the biggest thing though, is to own up to your mistakes, take care cleaning up the wreckage from your past, sometimes it can take years with certain people, sometimes they never come around and realize that we have changed, that's on them, not us.. what is on us though is to continue each day and try not to repeat past mistakes, as that's the very definition of insanity..
what i've learned though is this.. do good things, and good shit will happen.. do shitty things, and shitty things will happen in your ilfe.. you can rest assured this is very true.. i look back at some of the things i have done and can't believe it was even me, it all kind of seems like a horrible dream when i compare it to the person i am today, which is great.. i'm awesome now, lol, would change a few things, but i am today as a result of the mistakes i made in my past, i'd say i'm much better of a person today as a result, got much more compassion for people, and try not to judge too harshly, something i see a lot of others haven't learned.. oh well, that's on them..
i'm rambling, i'm out..

It's been 25 years now but I did a 6 month stint to which I served 4 months. Back when I committed the offense, I was in a bad place mentally, financially and socially. When I was released, I had a decent mental and emotional base built. I also had developed some good habits again such as keeping my living area clean and tidy. I never looked back and I have been moving forward ever since.
I will say that the first night was the worst with all the uncertainty and reflection you go through. After that, you will fall into the groove and you will find its not that bad. Just don't go getting to like the joint.
Up here in Canada, if you are asked if you have a criminal record for employment purposes, you do have to admit to having a record if asked but you do not have to tell what the specific conviction was and they cannot find out either. I don't think it is the same for you down there but it wouldn't hurt to check into it.
There is life after incarceration. I am now a senior construction supervisor in commercial construction with an average annual salary of $175,000 aaand btw I was engaged to be married back then and she left me as well. All I can say is I make $175,000 per year and it's all mine. Pura Vida.

racerboy71 said:

i completely agree, and i have surely done some really, really, really, really shitty things in my past, and i mean really fucked and shitty to the tenth degree.. but hey, ime, life happens, when i was born i never got a play book telling me how to live everyday and never make a mistake, that's for sure.. good for those of us that have and never made a mistake, i'm not one of those people..
the biggest thing though, is to own up to your mistakes, take care cleaning up the wreckage from your past, sometimes it can take years with certain people, sometimes they never come around and realize that we have changed, that's on them, not us.. what is on us though is to continue each day and try not to repeat past mistakes, as that's the very definition of insanity..
what i've learned though is this.. do good things, and good shit will happen.. do shitty things, and shitty things will happen in your ilfe.. you can rest assured this is very true.. i look back at some of the things i have done and can't believe it was even me, it all kind of seems like a horrible dream when i compare it to the person i am today, which is great.. i'm awesome now, lol, would change a few things, but i am today as a result of the mistakes i made in my past, i'd say i'm much better of a person today as a result, got much more compassion for people, and try not to judge too harshly, something i see a lot of others haven't learned.. oh well, that's on them..
i'm rambling, i'm out..

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Love this post. My lawyer suggested I take an impulse control class prior to anything so we can have that on file to help when he negotiates with the prosecutor.

This class changed my life. The man teaching it was in his 70's and retiring. That would be his last class. He said "Now I know you guys know what you did was wrong so I'm not here to lecture you. I want to try to help teach you how perhaps society has influenced you to make the decision you did." He went back to the very beginning of time, industrial revolution, etc. up to the current time; the information age. He spoke of wants and needs and how our needs should really be just water, air, food, and sex. I have never been so attentive at a class, I wish I would have video taped it. I left that day feeling like a new person really. It was awesome. I got his contact info so I can perhaps visit the church where he is a clergyman and show some love.

He dropped out of highschool and later went and got his GED. He now holds a bachelors degree in Psychology, Engineering, and Business. I had only got a few hours of sleep the night before, but I was wide eyed the entire time taking as many notes as possible. Life changing experience and the $60 I paid to take that class? Best $60 I have ever spent in my entire life.

FR33MASON said:

It's been 25 years now but I did a 6 month stint to which I served 4 months. Back when I committed the offense, I was in a bad place mentally, financially and socially. When I was released, I had a decent mental and emotional base built. I also had developed some good habits again such as keeping my living area clean and tidy. I never looked back and I have been moving forward ever since.
I will say that the first night was the worst with all the uncertainty and reflection you go through. After that, you will fall into the groove and you will find its not that bad. Just don't go getting to like the joint.
Up here in Canada, if you are asked if you have a criminal record for employment purposes, you do have to admit to having a record if asked but you do not have to tell what the specific conviction was and they cannot find out either. I don't think it is the same for you down there but it wouldn't hurt to check into it.
There is life after incarceration. I am now a senior construction supervisor in commercial construction with an average annual salary of $175,000 aaand btw I was engaged to be married back then and she left me as well. All I can say is I make $175,000 per year and it's all mine. Pura Vida.

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How did you get back into employment. Anything to do with funny handshakes?

how the fuck did you get busted for weed 3 times? 3 TIMES ????

it seems that you just refuse to get smarter.

One of the most important ways to learn is to learn by your mistake. Here is an oportunity to do just that.

Another way to learn is to listen to people that are smarter than you.....What can I say Winter Woman...you tried!

FR33MASON said:

It's been 25 years now but I did a 6 month stint to which I served 4 months. Back when I committed the offense, I was in a bad place mentally, financially and socially. When I was released, I had a decent mental and emotional base built. I also had developed some good habits again such as keeping my living area clean and tidy. I never looked back and I have been moving forward ever since.
I will say that the first night was the worst with all the uncertainty and reflection you go through. After that, you will fall into the groove and you will find its not that bad. Just don't go getting to like the joint.
Up here in Canada, if you are asked if you have a criminal record for employment purposes, you do have to admit to having a record if asked but you do not have to tell what the specific conviction was and they cannot find out either. I don't think it is the same for you down there but it wouldn't hurt to check into it.
There is life after incarceration. I am now a senior construction supervisor in commercial construction with an average annual salary of $175,000 aaand btw I was engaged to be married back then and she left me as well. All I can say is I make $175,000 per year and it's all mine. Pura Vida.

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Awesome story. Thank you for sharing. I'm glad to hear you moved forward and never looked back. That's my plan and it's already in action.

It's public record here. If the employer wanted to they could do a quick google search and see everything. Like I explained though in the first post, I should have adjudication withheld. This means I will be able to seal and expunge it from my record. The only people who will be able to see it are government related.

Commander Strax said:

how the fuck did you get busted for weed 3 times? 3 TIMES ????

it seems that you just refuse to get smarter.

One of the most important ways to learn is to learn by your mistake. Here is an oportunity to do just that.

Another way to learn is to listen to people that are smarter than you.....What can I say Winter Woman...you tried!

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When you grow up in a very small town where the police are very corrupt and pull you over for a tag light out... it's very easy. They can also search my car without any probable cause. If I say no they call the dogs, the dog will then "knock" on the car allowing them to search the car. Plenty of times my car was so clean it basically was a brand new car and the dog would "knock" on the car. It's just a way for them to abuse there authority and search your car illegally. Once you have been arrested for possession once, to a cop - you smoke weed everyday and have some on you everyday for the rest of your life.

EDIT: Please remember I am in Florida.

"You have given out too much Reputation in the last 24 hours, try again later."

Oops!

BeachSide321FL said:

When you grow up in a very small town where the police are very corrupt and pull you over for a tag light out... it's very easy. They can also search my car without any probable cause. If I say no they call the dogs, the dog will then "knock" on the car allowing them to search the car. Plenty of times my car was so clean it basically was a brand new car and the dog would "knock" on the car. It's just a way for them to abuse there authority and search your car illegally. Once you have been arrested for possession once, to a cop - you smoke weed everyday and have some on you everyday for the rest of your life.

EDIT: Please remember I am in Florida.

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so that would account for the first time, then you should say to yourself "maybe I should leave my weed at home"

Commander Strax said:

so that would account for the first time, then you should say to yourself "maybe I should leave my weed at home"

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Yep, this is very true. Thanks for your comment. The last time I was arrested for weed was over 5 years ago.