Do  participants have to attend multiple classes?

No, participants only have to attend one Saturday program, then they are done.

 

At the end of the ATP program, what happens?

Each participant will receive a signed certificate to  take back to the court or attorney representing them.  In addition, the courts are notified by email  the Monday after the completed program.

 

What is the difference between “case dismissal” and “expungement”? 

Depending on the court that a participant is involved with, once the participant completes ATP and attends their second court hearing, their  case can be dismissed.   With a dismissal, the participant avoids being found guilty of petty theft, but a  record  of the charge remains  open to  public  view  in the municipal court’s  public access records. In some courts though, after the theft case is dismissed, the record can be expunged.  This means the theft record will be sealed, allowing only designated court and/or law enforcement personnel  to view the charge, not the public.  So the fear that others will find out about their theft charge can be significantly reduced.

 

Do  you really believe people will not shoplift or steal again if they attend ATP?

The main belief of the Anti-Theft Program since it’s conception in 1998 is that people are basically honest and live the right way on a daily basis.   If those in  attendance  can understand that shoplifting hurts not only store and it’s employees, but the people they love, the community they live in as well as themselves, then the likelihood of stealing again can greatly be reduced. In addition, the participant can get in touch with the realization that the thing they tried to steal was not worth the pain and suffering from being  caught & charged with theft, facing the embarrassment  of standing in a court of law,  the  money paid out  to deal with the theft,  facing loved ones who don’t know them as  “thieves”,  and the negative  impact  to their future.  Theft is just not worth the pain.

 

What goes on in this Saturday program?    It’s not “therapy” is it?

No, ATP is not therapy, but it encourages people who attend to work on a therapeutic level.  This means people share their honest thoughts and feelings,  keep and open mind to what they hear and learn,  and laugh as well as cry if they need to.  ATP uses a lecture format, open interactive discussions, short video, and personal worksheets. A strong  point of the  program  is that it  stresses, “what is said in this program, stays in this program”.  This means that nothing participants share is shared back to court personnel.  The only thing that is communicated back is the name of the person who  successfully completed the program.   This allows participants to feel safe enough to disclose personal information regarding their theft.

 

What if  there is a language barrier, can I still sit in the program if I just pay the fee?

If a person is unable to understand competently what is being discussed and shared in the program, then that individual will be asked to reschedule  to a latter date when they can bring someone with them  who is fluent in English.  The program  does not like to do this, but  if a person stayed  and did not understand what is being said, then it is a waste of time.  It also could  be considered “stealing” that participant’s money. At this current time, ATP will supply a  Spanish  translator free of  charge to the  participant.  Unfortunately, this is the only language translation we offer at this time.   It is strongly encouraged at the time of registering for the program, if a participant has special needs or requirements, to let us know so we can make the program a better experience.

 

How do I pay for the program?

At this time, one can pay the fee $65 only by cash or a money order at the time they arrive to the program. Personal checks, credit cards, nor debit cards will not be accepted.