Was Caught Shoplifting at Target

[b1989]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: california
i am 20 years old and me and my friend got caught shoplifing at target, we're both really stupid i know! :( lesson learned. the problem is we are both being charged with felony burglary and i dont know what to do, we were both booked in the detention facility and we posted bail. we both have separate court dates. i didnt sign any papers but told the cop a shortened version of what my friend said since they stopped her. the amount i took was less that 50 dollars. im going to get a public defender but i dont want to go to jail...i'm a college student and this is the first and last time i'm ever going to do something like this. please help :(

[free9man]

Help with what exactly? If you qualify for a PD, they will be able to assist you through the process. If this is your first offense, your PD (if you qualify for one) might be able to plea it down to a lesser offense not involving jail time. Why are you being charged with a felony level offense for $50?

[cyjeff]

I am guessing that tools were brought into the store to aid in the theft... that is usually the difference that kicks it up to burglary.

[b1989]

i have no idea, no tools were used.... i just want a heads up as to what might happen. i talked to a lawyer and he said that they did it as felony burglary because they think we went into target w/the intent to steal... i was just hoping someone in my situation or something similar can give me some advice...

(i talked to a lawyer) he said that they believe that we went into the store with the intent to shoplift so that makes it a burglary charge... thank you.. i will ask for one. but when i go to my arraignment do i have to plead not guilty to ask for a public defender? or how does that work?

[PandorasBox]

plead "Not Guilty" and ask for a PD. Bear in mind, that is not a free service, you should still expect $200-300 for their services. Ask about First Offenders programs, Adjudication Withheld....

You should also make sure your college major won't be affected. Anything that involves money or a high level of trust, you may find even with a degree, you will run into many walls finding a job because of a criminal record. If it involves money or a high level of trust...you may have screwed yourself into a different career goal. (See the "Affects of Shoplifting" thread that is stickied on the top of the page).

[b1989]

so all i have to do is plead guilty and thats how they give me a PD? oh okay....thank you so much! your such a great help....what does Adjudication Withheld mean?
i should ask the PD about the first offender programs right? oh okay...yeah its alot to take in because this one mistake has basically screwed up my future....thanks again...

[b1989]

I also have another question, I've been looking through other threads and I keep reading about diversion programs, My arraignment is at the Bellflower court house in california. do they offer diversion programs? or alternative sentencing?

[CourtClerk]

You may want to recheck your charges... last I knew, Bellflower didn't do felony arraignments unless they were last days, and since you are out on bail, that wouldn't apply.

Things may have changed since the layoffs though.

[b1989]

what do you mean last days? do you know how i can recheck my charges?

[CourtClerk]

Last days is a court term, and doesn't apply to you.

Call the courthouse