[will_hughes]

Change the values there a bit and see how you still feel.

Walmart won't report you to the police if you agree to

- pay them $5000?

- undertake a voluntary 'community service program' at a Walmart designated location (store cleaner on the shift nobody wants at Walmart) for 20 hours per week for 12 months

Remember, that one conviction for minor shoplifting could permanently impact your life. Eg: limiting job opportunities, places you can live, whether you get to see your children in a custody dispute, whether you are entitled to vote or stand for election.

If Walmart knew someone had virtually no other option, they could press their unfair advantage.

[Dylan16807]

A civil suit could easily be $5000, so what's the big difference?

And minor shoplifting is not a felony.

I'm not sure you understand my point. I'm not saying the extortion is a good idea, I'm saying it's not all that different from civil not-extortion tactics.

[Houshalter]

If the criminal wasn't better off under those terms, they wouldn't accept them. Extortion actually benefits the criminals, it doesn't hurt them.

In fact the only reason it's illegal is because of that. The state doesn't want criminals to get off easier. Or so parent comment was arguing. If you think the justice system is as bad as you claim, you should prefer Walmarts arrangement.