Q: In Tennessee, how long can a store press theft charges under $500?
In Tennessee, how long can a store go back and press charges for theft if the charge is under $500? On April 22, I was arrested for an incident at Walmart involving items that were mis-scanned, totaling $242. This charge occurred before a previous charge for which I was not arrested but received a court citation. There were no prior warnings from Walmart about scanning issues. Since the first incident, I've been very careful to ensure all items are properly scanned. I work full-time and have had a stable job for 22 years, along with a part-time job. I haven't taken any legal steps yet but am concerned about using self-checkout lanes now.
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A: Misdemeanors must be initiated within 1 year of the incident. Getting a Citation is irrelevant, you are still charged the same but do not go to jail immediately. I recommend that you do not self scan anymore, so go to cash register. Hire a competent attorney to represent you now. Try to get the charges diverted, dismissed and expunged. Restitution may be required.
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