I was caught shoplifting – what now?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
I was caught shoplifting – what now?
I was just caught shoplifting. I’m 18, and this is the first time I’ve been
caught committing a crime. A police officer came and I was placed under arrest,
but I wasn’t taken to the police station. He filled out paperwork, handcuffed me,
and had me sit in the back of his car while he did so. I was released because I
cooperated and under the condition that I go into the station soon to give
fingerprints and have pictures taken. What happens next? Will I go to court? Will
I go to jail? Do I need a lawyer? Or is this process done once I do fingerprints
and pictures?
Asked on March 20, 2017 under Criminal Law, Washington
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Since a charge for shoplifting is a criminal matter, you should try to get legal representation. A criminal defense lawyer might be able to get the charge dismissed on a technicality. If that's not possible, you can at least ask the court for "diversion" (or your state's equivalent) which is an alternative sentencing program. In such a program, you plead guilty, receive a special probation, and upon its successfull completion the charge will be withdrawn and your case dismissed. As a general rule, your record will automatically be cleared (however, in some jurisdictions you may have make application to have your record "expunged"). However, diversion is allowed for a first offense only, so if you again get into trouble, it will not be available to you. That's why if you get an attorney who can get your case dismissed, you'll be eligible for diversion in the future should you need it.
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Since a charge for shoplifting is a criminal matter, you should try to get legal representation. A criminal defense lawyer might be able to get the charge dismissed on a technicality. If that's not possible, you can at least ask the court for "diversion" (or your state's equivalent) which is an alternative sentencing program. In such a program, you plead guilty, receive a special probation, and upon its successfull completion the charge will be withdrawn and your case dismissed. As a general rule, your record will automatically be cleared (however, in some jurisdictions you may have make application to have your record "expunged"). However, diversion is allowed for a first offense only, so if you again get into trouble, it will not be available to you. That's why if you get an attorney who can get your case dismissed, you'll be eligible for diversion in the future should you need it.
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.