Caught shoplifting in on Canada Detained Let go No police called Was told police would send you a letter telling you if you were warned or charged Is this possible will you get a letter in the mail?

Answer 1

If the police were not called, the chances are high that the store has not filed a report for he incident. However, let's assume for this question that they have filed a criminal complaint.

The police won't send you a "letter", and there is no such thing as a written "warning" under Canadian criminal law. If you are ultimately charged, you will be contacted directly.

Usually an officer will phone you and give you an opportunity to show up at the police station to be processed (formally arrested and released on a Promise to Appear in Court [also known as a Recognizance]). It's possible that the police may attend your home or place of work to effect an arrest, or if they can't find you, that a warrant will be placed in the system.

Depending on where you are arrested, you will either be printed and photographed and sent on your way, or be required to appear before a Justice of the Peace to be released. In major cities, the latter is more common than in smaller centers for minor offenses.

In most major cities, when you're arrested (either by turning yourself in or by the police coming to get you) you'll be placed in a holding cell while paperwork is prepared, and then go before a J.P (or Magistrate) who will set your release conditions and court date. This process can take several hours - often a full working day - before you're finally released. Most large cities have a 24/7 J.P. on duty, which means you won't be spending days waiting in a cell.

If asked to report to the Police, do so as EARLY in the day as possible. This will minimize any delays in processing your paperwork. Showing up at 8pm on a Friday is a recipe for a LONG stay in detention.