identity crisis while shoplifting

[remorsefull]

What is the name of your state? CA

i was caught shoplifting in SF - first time.
my thumbprint was taken and i was given a notice of a court date (in about a month) the item was about under $90. honestly, i don't know what came over me, but i cannot blame myself enough for it. to make matters worse the only id i had on me was not mine (a friend who left the country for good), so they took that info. please help me, here are my questions:

should i write/call the retailer with an appology, payment for all their fees and request to dismiss the charges? (they actually gave me a number of their attorney)
>
would the police be checking my immigration status when i go to court? will they check it if i don't? will they take a print again?
>
in what instance would this turn in to a trial?
>
why did they take my fingerprint and will they be able to track me with it? (i never had police take my fingerprints, not even
for my drivers license(out of state), however i had given
fingerprints few months ago for my immigration papers/work permit, can they crosscheck?)
>
what is the most likely thing that will happen if, after paying all the store's fees, i will not show up for the court date? will they/ would they track me by my fingerprint?)
>
what is a warrent (how people get one) and how can
they inforce it? can they come to my residence, my workplace? or is it only in case they "catch" me doing something else illigal?
>
what i have done was awful and stupid, please try not to judje me but help me with advice. thank you for you time.

[JETX]

"should i write/call the retailer with an appology, payment for all their fees and request to dismiss the charges? (they actually gave me a number of their attorney)"
*** You can do that. However, in doing so, you would be admitting to the charge (and damage ANY defense). Also, they have NO obligation to accept your offer.

"would the police be checking my immigration status when i go to court?"
*** Possibly. And more likely if they know that you are an immigrant.

"will they check it if i don't?"
*** If you fail to appear, they will check your prints in the process of issuing a FTA arrest warrant .

" will they take a print again?"
*** Only if they suspect your identity.

"in what instance would this turn in to a trial?"
*** If you decide to offer a defense.

"why did they take my fingerprint and will they be able to track me with it?"
*** Depends on what you mean by 'track'. Of course they can't locate you, but they can certainly use your prints to identify you.

"(i never had police take my fingerprints, not even for my drivers license(out of state), however i had given fingerprints few months ago for my immigration papers/work permit, can they crosscheck?)"
*** Yes.

"what is the most likely thing that will happen if, after paying all the store's fees, i will not show up for the court date?"
*** A FTA (Failure to Appear) warrant would be issued for your arrest.

"will they/ would they track me by my fingerprint?)"
*** See above.

"what is a warrent (how people get one) and how can they inforce it?"
*** A warrant is an order for your arrest. It is enforced by putting you in jail when/if they find you.

"can they come to my residence, my workplace?"
*** Unlikely, but it can happen.

"or is it only in case they "catch" me doing something else illigal?"
*** It can be anything from applying for a job to being stopped by an officer and run for outstanding wants/warrants.

"thank you for you time."
*** You're welcome.

[remorsefull]

did the police already enter my thumbprint in to the system (prior to the court date)?

can they arrest me right in court on the date?

i don't even know what else to ask, i'm so scared, feel nauseous... thank you so much for your responce, please help me with more questions

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Somehow, find a way to go back to your country.

There's your answer. Pack your bags now, and go!

IAAL

[remorsefull]

my court date in one day and i think i will die before that... please, JETX if you get this message, advise me. you said that they will only take my fingerprint if they "suspect my identity"...what did you mean by that??? also, the police told me that i will get two letters from them and a letter fromj the store with fees/charges. i have not received any letters, what does that mean??? i have not been able to get an attorney and am planning to go on my own. how should i plead if i want to avoid all the comotion. i want to get it over with, i don't want to go to trial.
please, anyone, help me with your advise
thank you in advance

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by remorsefull


i don't want to go to trial.

================================


My response:

I guess you rejected my suggestion, huh?

IAAL

[remorsefull]

i have enough of my own

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by remorsefull


i don't need your judgement
i have enough of my own

====================================

My response:

Judgment? What judgment?

You said you didn't want to go to trial. So, I suggested that you leave the country.

What was wrong with that?


IAAL