Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

will i receive criminal charges after a fraudulent return at a retail store?
I made a terrible decision, and want to know the best course of action to take to minimize the legal consequences. I'm 6 months away from turning 18.
I paid for clothes with my credit card with a total of 300 dollars, and realized I didn't want to keep them. I thought they were on sale, but when I got to the register I found out they were priced at regular price and was too reluctant to tell the cashier I didn't want them anymore. I decided I would just come back and make a return. On the way home there was another nearby mall with the same store, and so I went to the store there to return the clothes. ...
long story short, I did the terrible criminal act of grabbing clothes from the store similar to the ones I bought and returned THOSE CLOTHES as the clothes I paid for on my receipt, while the actual clothes i paid for were still in my paper bag. I returned 3 shirts and got 160 dollars back on my credit card. One stupid detail to this story is that the clothes still had sensors on them, and the assistant manager processed the transaction while I, shamefully, stood there nonchalantly. I exited the store and the mall unapproached.
They have my credit card and probably have me on camera. Are they likely to press charges against me? The store is Gap. What can I do to take care of this situation I put myself in? I did the crime a few hours ago. Should I come back tomorrow morning to confess and apologize to the assistant manager and return the clothes? Will they likely not press charges against me then? Please tell me what I can do. I'm 17 but turning 18 in six months. The store was in San Francisco.

Asked on 1/24/14, 10:34 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

David M. Wallin Law Offices OF David M. Wallin

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If this case goes to court it will be in juvenile court, even if you don't get caught or charged after you turn 18. You should speak with a good criminal defense attorney, so he can do everything for you to minimize the damage. I have handled close to 1000 juvenile matters and I have learned that dealing with the problem quickly can lead to a better result. I wish you well.........David

Answered on 1/25/14, 7:48 am

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