I was caught removing two items worth $200 from a retail store recently. I wasn't really concealing them; I just noticed an opportunity to leave so I tried to take it. This was my first time ever attempting something like this, but obviously it was a big mistake.
LP was waiting for me just outside the doors. They asked me to go back inside for questioning. I simply put the items down and started walking away. They attempted to stand in front of me but I just walked around them and got in my car and left.
They clearly got my license plate, so the purpose of this thread is not the typical "will I be caught?!?!" thread. I assumed I would be caught eventually, unless for some reason I managed to slip through the cracks. I kind of thought (perhaps foolishly) that my chances would be better by leaving and waiting to be contacted by police than by going back inside and admitting to everything.
This was all a spur-of-the-moment decision, and I was clearly being stupid and not thinking it through. I don't want law enforcement showing up at my home or work. I am thinking now that I should have just cooperated with LP and accepted whatever was coming, as that would end the matter more quietly.
So, what I want to know is what should I do now. I already called the local courthouse and asked if there was a warrant on me, and they said there was no one in the system with that name. Should I:
1) Keep calling the courthouse daily, and if/when I do hear that there is a warrant out, self-surrender to avoid any embarrassing situations.
2) Just wait and see what happens.
Also I plan on seeking the advice of a lawyer, but for right now I don't really want to talk to one until if/when I am actually charged with something. Is this a good or bad idea? Should I be calling a lawyer right now?
LP was waiting for me just outside the doors. They asked me to go back inside for questioning. I simply put the items down and started walking away. They attempted to stand in front of me but I just walked around them and got in my car and left.
They clearly got my license plate, so the purpose of this thread is not the typical "will I be caught?!?!" thread. I assumed I would be caught eventually, unless for some reason I managed to slip through the cracks. I kind of thought (perhaps foolishly) that my chances would be better by leaving and waiting to be contacted by police than by going back inside and admitting to everything.
This was all a spur-of-the-moment decision, and I was clearly being stupid and not thinking it through. I don't want law enforcement showing up at my home or work. I am thinking now that I should have just cooperated with LP and accepted whatever was coming, as that would end the matter more quietly.
So, what I want to know is what should I do now. I already called the local courthouse and asked if there was a warrant on me, and they said there was no one in the system with that name. Should I:
1) Keep calling the courthouse daily, and if/when I do hear that there is a warrant out, self-surrender to avoid any embarrassing situations.
2) Just wait and see what happens.
Also I plan on seeking the advice of a lawyer, but for right now I don't really want to talk to one until if/when I am actually charged with something. Is this a good or bad idea? Should I be calling a lawyer right now?