What can I expect to happen for a first offense shoplifting charge?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What can I expect to happen for a first offense shoplifting charge?

After I got caught the store gave me a paper, I signed and the cop gave me ticket to go to court. Am I going to jail if I plead guilty. How can I clear my record? I may not qualify for a public defender but I can’t afford a lawyer. Store fine may charge me from $1500-$2000. I don’t know what else to do; I’m so scared. Is my employer will be notified?

Asked on July 1, 2012 under Criminal Law, California

Answers:

Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

For a first time offense of shoplifting/retail fraud, a criminal misdemeanor or felony depending upon the dollar amount of the items stolen, most courts will sentence you to a deferred sentence or even a pre-trial diversion program. This means that upon a plea of guilty and a successful completion of all of the court ordered conditions or probation, this offense will not go on your criminal record. Whether you hire an attorney or are appointed one, a retail fraud conviction can cause serious damage to your criminal record and reputation as it is an offense of moral turpitude (fraud), so you will want your attorney to place you in the best position possible to avoid having this on your record.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption