Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Shoplifting, immigration and paying fine issue

I was caught shoplifting in

Washington

LP made me to sign 2 papers.

No police was called and no

fingerprints were taken.

No arrests were made.

LP told that i will be receiving some

mail in which their will be some fine.

And he also told me that i can go to

any of the Macys and have to make

sure to pay the money for whatever

i am buying and not to shoplift

again.

1) Can I be prosecuted even if no

police was involved and no arrests

were made?

2) If i will not be able to receive the

mail before i leave for India in June,

what are the consequences?

3) The address that i gave may not

accept the mails as that is an office

rented aptt and the mail from civil

recovery may go back. What should

be done here?

4) If i will not be able to pay the fine

(may be due to the fact that i do

not receive the mail), what are the

consequences?

5) WIll there be a criminal case

against me?

6) If I will return to US after lets say

1 year or so, will it effect my

immigration and can i be arrested?

7) Will their be an issue if I try to

get L1/H1 visas?

8) Will i be having a criminal history

in US?

9) If there is a case against me,

how would i know if will be in India?


Asked on 5/31/09, 1:41 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
James J. White, attorney Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

Re: Shoplifting, immigration and paying fine issue

Yes, they can prosecute you even if the police were not called. If you leave without resolving the case a warrant will issue for your arrest. The unresolved case may prohibit your re-entry into the US. Catch 22 situation as you cannot then resolve the case. However, overstaying your visa can cause its own difficulties. You need to hire a lawyer and resolve this matter immediately.

At your service,

Read more
Answered on 6/01/09, 6:56 pm


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