Wht to do if I was caught shoplifting approximately $40 worth of items?
Question Details: I don't have much money (none actually, I'm a 19 year old college student) and I don't have a job right now. What should I expect in court? I am not sure if I want to hire a lawyer (my parents have said they will pay for it but I will of course have to pay them back, which will be very difficult). My record is otherwise completely clean (I've never even gotten a traffic ticket) and I'm hoping that I can get community service or volunteer work as opposed to having to pay fines or court fees (or worse, jail time). Should I hire a lawyer? How should I plead?
A theft conviction can have serious consequences on your future. Depending on what you plan on doing after college. you should try to avoid pleading guilty to a theft charge. You should hire a lawyer to negotiate a more favorable disposition, i.e. deferred entry of judgment.
http://orangecounty.criminallaw.com
