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19 years, first offence, shoplifting in maine, approx $50, diversion? help!?

My posting has to do with the laws in the state of maine Hello, I have read up a great deal after today of being caught shoplifting with my friend. We were at a local surplus store, and took some shirts and make up, etc. I asked for my total after they caught me and took down my information, called the police, and wrote up the papers. My total was around $50. I showed sincerely how sorry I was and tried my best for the cop and for the AP employees to see that as well. I am 19, this is my first time doing this and being caught. I don't want this one my record because I move around a lot and need jobs and I want to go to a good school, travel the world and become a citizen of Austria. I want my record whipped clear. I have heard of Pretrial diversion, and how it has been called by several different names. I was wondering if anyone knew off the top of their heads, other than calling the local Attorny's office to find out if Maine's laws support this. It seems to me that there is a possibility to do that so that I can have a clean record, have learned my lesson, and never do it again. Thank you for your time and energy in reviewing my post. Biz

Public Comments

1. Every person who is caught is very sorry and wants the cops and employees to know it. The truth is, if you had gotten away with it you'd keep doing it, in fact, I'm sure you have gotten away with it before. You're not sorry until you get caught. It won't be 'whipped" from your record, hence the word "record." You seem like your mature and educated for your age but this ain't going away. You've got a record now and any future jobs you apply for will see it on your background check. That's what happens when you break the law. Hope this helps.
2. yes maine has a diversion program. yes it's available in petty theft cases. it will still cost you. restitution is as much as ten times the retail value of the items you are charged with stealing. then there are court fees and the probation fees. in the end you will be on probation for a year or more. stay out of trouble and it will not appear as a conviction. oh, btw, if you are in bangor, don't depend on this. they are getting tired of it and may refuse you a diversion on this.
3. I am not sure if they do Pretrial Intervention on a case by case basis, but my friend got a pretrial intervention for passing bad checks. He was on a probation for 3 years. By the way he lived in Portland. Not sure if this helps.
4. First off...stop committing theft. It doesn't matter that the articles you attempted to steal were minute in monetary value. The fact of the matter is that you committed an incarcerable offense. If you want to go to a good school and ascertain a higher education so you may travel the world then it's in your best interests to refrain from actions such as this. Generally speaking from both a retail and law enforcement standpoint, theft is looked down upon worse than an assault as it displays a degrading level of honesty. Shoplifting, Larceny, Fraud, and Narcotics offenses qualify as a "Crime of Moral Turpitude". You may very well be able to gain a PTD deal with the prosecutor. However, the presiding judge must concur with this decision. You will face an uphill battle, as from what I can tell you are not in the lower economic or social class. Therefore, the judge may render a harsher sentence for you than a hoodlum because you really have no reason to steal other than you just don't feel like paying. I spent 4 years in the Military because of my delinquent behavior as a juvenile and am now an active law enforcement officer so trust me when I say that I'm speaking from experience, not pulling this info out of my a**. Good luck, Biz....and stop shoplifting.