SHOPLIFTING CHARGE AVOIDED

On August 15, 2012 VB, a 28 year old program director at a facility for the handicapped, was caught shoplifting at Kohl’s in Chelmsford. Every year her employer does a CORI check (criminal record check) and if this case showed on her record it would have meant immediate dismissal from her job. VB contacted Attorney Robert Lewin. Attorney Lewin spoke with the Chelmsford Police Prosecutor who said it could be months before the application for criminal complaint was processed and scheduled for a hearing by the Clerk’s Office at Lowell District Court. Attorney Lewin also spoke with the Loss Prevention Officer from Kohl’s. Finally VB received a notice from Lowell District Court to appear for a Clerk-Magistrate’s Hearing. On February 7, 2013 VB and Attorney Lewin appeared for the hearing. Attorney Lewin had secured an agreement from the police prosecutor for a complaint not to issue. The Clerk-Magistrate at the request of both the police and Attorney Lewin continued the hearing for six months to August 9, 2013. If VB is in no further trouble with the police then on that date the Application for a Criminal Complaint will be dismissed by the Clerk-Magistrate and neither VB nor Attorney Lewin will have to appear in Court on that date. As a result of this disposition VB has NO criminal record and her job will not be placed in jeopardy. Because no criminal complaint was issued against her she does not have to appear in front of a judge and no entry is made in the CORI system. It is as if it did not happen.