Q: I have a court day for shoplifting but I didn’t mean to.
I was also told by one of the people there that they weren’t gonna call the police, but there was only gonna keep it for their records and their workers and then later on they did call the police and I didn’t know till the police actually showed up. the self register was acting wonky , even got moved register. It passed some stuff up to four times and apparently didn’t pass some and the total of stuff not passed was around $50 what is going to happen state ms?
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A:
In your situation, it sounds like there was a misunderstanding at the self-checkout, but now you are facing a shoplifting charge in Mississippi. Even if you did not intend to shoplift, the fact that items were not scanned can lead to legal consequences. The store’s decision to call the police after initially saying they wouldn't could complicate things, but it doesn’t mean you’re automatically guilty.
When you go to court, you'll have the chance to explain what happened. Be honest and share the details, including how the self-checkout malfunctioned and that you were moved to another register. It’s important to bring any evidence, like receipts or witnesses, to support your side of the story.
Mississippi treats shoplifting seriously, and for a value around $50, it’s generally considered a misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face fines, community service, or other penalties. However, since this appears to be a misunderstanding, you might be able to resolve the situation more favorably by clearly presenting your case.
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