Hello,
I was convicted of stealing around 20 dollars worth of food from my college convenience store. I have done this four times,but was caught yesterday. I have been very apologetic and I have admitted to having OCD and have started seeing a counselor. I have my meeting with the deans soon. I was wondering if I could be suspended/expelled. What are your thoughts?
This is very subjective to the school. Yes, you can be suspended or expelled. You can be put on probation. You could be turned over to the local police force. Did they give you a written notice? Did it have any explanation of your rights?
You can look it up in:
a. The state law on crimes and punishments.
b. Your school’s student conduct code.
You may be subject to punishment in either or both domains.
Hi. I did not get a written notice nor was I turned into the police. What would you think is a reasonable consequence to this?
My school did not specify what would happen to me, so I do not know yet. They said they will decide upon hearing my case.
I would seek help from a student group that advocates for students. Do not go into a meeting that could have big consequences without knowing what those consequences are. Can you be expelled? Can you be turned over to police? Are you able to bring an attorney with you? A parent? A support person from the disability office? I don’t think your stating that you have OCD will help.
Ask at the student counseling office, ask your RA, ask at the dean’s office. Ask.
Hello. I actually did speak to the dean and she told me I will definitely not be expelled and they will not turn me into the police. I just hope I don’t get suspended. I am not allowed to bring an attorney in with me, nor a support person from the office. I am only allowed to bring a friend. Do you think it is possible that I get suspended for this first-time office/breach of the code of conduct?
Help me understand…does being OCD make a person steal? Are there different types of OCD? The reason I ask is that I have a friend who is OCD but doesn’t exhibit this behavior. And I genuinely want to know. More than likely you will be asked to explain yourself in front of a small body of peers. I’m not sure your peers will understand how your diagnosis affects your behavior. You may want to submit or read aloud a letter from the counselor you are seeing that explains your behavior and how you are being treated. If there is a financial component to this, such as, you are hungry and do not have the money for food/snacks, you shoukd mention it. While I appreciate your honesty, I probably would not mention that you’ve done this four times and were only caught on the last one. I don’t see how that admission helps the situation.
Thank you. I did not want to steal the things because I wanted the items really. It was more the rush of the stealing and feeling compelled to do so.
I’m glad you are reaching out and getting help @fifteenpens ! Let us know how it works out.
I think it’s a positive step that you have sought mental health help and are addressing the problem. It seems possible that if you are admitting it and that you are taking seriously getting treatment that you will see leniency. I would expect maybe some sort of probation type thing more than suspension.
Thank you so much! I really hope I don’t get suspended
Will do. Thanks so much again.
Why did you steal food?
What does that have to do with OCD?
I felt compelled to do so.
That excuse won’t work. You need to seek psychiatric help.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Closing thread. Assuming the post is legit, I think the OP has enough advice to start off.