Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

When I was 14 I was caught shoplifting from a Macy's in CA. I was brought to a room, handcuffed to a bench, picture taken and parents called. The police were not involved. My parents paid a hefty civil demand and that was it.

I'm 24 now, applying to law school and worried this may disqualify me from taking the BAR. Since I was never summed to court for the incident, the State should have no record of this event, correct? Is it safe to assume that in civil demand cases only those parties involved (Macy's and myself) have record- if any- of this?

I have stated on my law school applications I have never been charged with a misdemeanor. Thank you!


Asked on 2/15/11, 10:07 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

You are correct. You have no criminal record since you were not criminally charged. However, you are probably in the retail theft database, so don't apply for a job as an attorney for Macy's, or Gimbel's for that matter.

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Answered on 2/15/11, 11:38 am


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