Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Shoplifting on military base

S

Sharonda

New Member
Jurisdiction
Texas
Arrested for shoplifting at PX on Fort Hood. MPs called, handcuffed and taken to MP station and released. Told to expect civil demand letter in the mail. I do have one previous shoplifting conviction from 15 years ago. Stupidity on my part. Is there anyway to not end up with this on my criminal record? Learned my lesson!
 
Sharonda said:
Arrested for shoplifting at PX on Fort Hood. MPs called, handcuffed and taken to MP station and released. Told to expect civil demand letter in the mail. I do have one previous shoplifting conviction from 15 years ago. Stupidity on my part. Is there anyway to not end up with this on my criminal record? Learned my lesson!
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It would appear the MPs chose not to charge you, if you we're told to await a civil demand. A civil demand is a request by AAFES (PX) to use the demand letter route to dispose of this matter.

That usually means the amount was small. Otherwise, you would have been cited and told to expect the matter to be handled by Federal Court and Magistrate. You got a break, unless you are military, then the matter will be decided further by your command structure. If you are a civilian, pay the demand, the nightmare is over.

How much will be demanded? Don't know, wait and see. Good luck.

PS: Trust me, you don't want this to get to federal court and deal with a magistrate. Plus, on military bases, if convicted you pay fines, fees, costs, get probation (more fees & costs), and end up doing 120-240 hours of community service. Sister, let me tell you, that community service is shoveling horse poop, picking up trash around the camp, weeding flower beds, well; let's agree they'll work you like a government mule!!!

How do I know? Let's just say, as a former Army JAG, I know what could have been done to you. The DoD cops and the Army MPs aren't known for cutting most people breaks.
 
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I am a Retail theft consultant and answer questions like yours daily. Unless you get a citation (notice to appear) it appears no criminal charges were filed. Pay the civil demand (few hundred dollars) and this should be over. Here is some additional info on Civil Demand

Civil Recovery | | TheLaw.com
 
I received the civil demand letter. The civil demand is $200. I was processed and given my rights at the MP station. The young MP said I didn't fall under UCMJ but Title 18 USC 641. I wasn't given a citation when released, just told to expect the civil demand letter in the mail, does this mean the citation or court summons will come in the mail? If so, how long should I expect it to arrive? Thanks for your response!
 
Sharonda said:
I received the civil demand letter. The civil demand is $200. I was processed and given my rights at the MP station. The young MP said I didn't fall under UCMJ but Title 18 USC 641. I wasn't given a citation when released, just told to expect the civil demand letter in the mail, does this mean the citation or court summons will come in the mail? If so, how long should I expect it to arrive? Thanks for your response!
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The fact that you weren't charged, simply processed, and released bodes well for you.

Most of the time, if you get the civil demand letter, pay it, that closes the case.

Of course, life offers few guarantees.

Let's just say, I'd be surprised if your case went any farther.

If I were you, I'd pay the $200 with a money order, keeping copies of everything for my records, and move on with my life.
 
shrinkmaster said:
This is even more reason to pay civil demand. It appears they have not filed criminbal charges since there was no citation
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I will when I get all of the money shortly. The amount for the alleged shoplifting charge was $135.00. Should I try to call and find out if I have any charges pending? Are citations to appear in court usually given prior to leaving the MP station or a court summons to appear sent by mail? Thank you
 
If you got no citation or notice to appear at time then mail is other option. Again pay the civil demand and this should be over
 
Thank you for your response. I will pay the civil demand today! I'm praying that this is over! I'm nervous going to the mailbox everyday anticipating a notice to appear to be there! I've read others comments and all have said they were given a citation or notice to appear. One person said it could take up to six months to receive! Thank you again for your advice!
 
Sharonda said:
I will when I get all of the money shortly. The amount for the alleged shoplifting charge was $135.00. Should I try to call and find out if I have any charges pending? Are citations to appear in court usually given prior to leaving the MP station or a court summons to appear sent by mail? Thank you
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I live near Ft. Hood.
I've represented civilians and military personnel on Ft. Hood, Waco Federal Court, and in Bell County Courts for various charges over the years.
In your case, you could have been cited and cut loose,.
That never happened, so you caught a very big break.
I don't think a summons will be arriving via the mail.
I don't think you're going to get a summons at all.
I'm surprised because your alleged amount exceeded a $100.
You must have been very cooperative with the MPs.
If you are a civilian, the MPs were limited in what they could have done to you, anyway.
If they wanted to cite you, they would have called the DoD Police.
I guess things are changing.
If I were you, I'd avoid kicking the hornet's nest.
 
shrinkmaster said:
Just so you know (may not apply to you) some states do not permit a retailer to seek both civil demand and file criminal complaint
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I'm not sure what the federal position on civil demand letters are.
She allegedly committed her misdeed on a military base, namely Ft. Hood.
If she were to be charged, it would be with a misdemeanor, and her case would be heard here:

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
WACO DIVISION AT FORT HOOD
U.S. District (Magistrate) Court Office
MG Williams Judicial Center
Bldg. 5794, Tank Destroyer Blvd.
P. O. Box 5507
Fort Hood, Texas 76544-0507
Located near the East Gate two blocks east of the Club Hood complex

If you THINK you might have a Misdemeanor warrant contact: 254-287-5683.

Ft. Hood Warrant List (mainly traffic)
http://www.hood.army.mil/files/Warrant_and_Traffic_Listing_22-July-2015.xls
 
I do know that some states do not permit retailers to do both. I am unsure if OP's state is one of those. I added that because its not widely known
 
shrinkmaster said:
I do know that some states do not permit retailers to do both. I am unsure if OP's state is one of those. I added that because its not widely known
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True, and let's hope someone will learn something from it

I keep hoping that people will stop nicking things, but they keep right on pinching stuff.
 
Army Judge and/or shrinkmaster,

Are citations or summons given at the time of being processed or do they sometime mail them out later instead? Lesson learned and willing to share to deter others from this unncessary nightmare! Thanks for all of the advice everyone! I hope this is it, will keep you posted if something arrives in the mail.
 
In most cases your cited on site however they can file later and then you would be contacted about court date. The statute of limitations for misdemeanor theft (in most states) is one year. However based on your post its unlikely a criminal complaint would be filed long as you pay civil demand and not violate any ban (if banned)
 
Please stop dragging up old threads to answer. Most of these folks are long gone.
 
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It's really more than a month old & had been adequately answered already.

(thread started 8-16-15)
 
In most cases there is no need to revive an old thread already answered & has been silent for several weeks.
 

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