Caught Shoplifting Beauty Supplies

**NotSotroublesome** · 01-05-2011, 09:20 PM

My question involves criminal law for the state of: NY

Ok So I'm 18 and I was caught stealing a $25 Flat Iron. I get it I was wrong and all that but I have court in a few days and I'm starting to really freak out!! It was my first offense ever and I dont know if i should plead guity or not guity. Some of my friends (who have been in the jail system) say to just plead guilty and get it over with and just plead with the public deffender. Honestly I will pay the fine and do what ever the community service asks BUT I CANNOT have this on my personal record. As far as working goes I'm a LPN and I'm trying to become a doctor. What do I do? How long is the expungement period afterward?

Help? Please? Any One?

jk · 01-05-2011, 09:31 PM

BUT I CANNOT have this on my personal record.

dang, if there was just some simple way to avoid that. Oh ya, considering that before you steal.

If you plead guilty it's going on your record. If you plead not guilty, they may offer some form of deferred adjudication but if not, you will then be able to hire an attorney who can help you with a plea deal to hopefully keep this off your record.

**flyingron** · 01-06-2011, 07:22 AM

Yep, if you cannot have it on your record, and you can't turn back the time to not being a criminal, the best bet is to get a lawyer. If you're lucky, you can get an ACD which will forgo the criminal conviction if you can keep your sociopathic tendencies in line for the duration of your probation.