Felony Shoplifting Charge

[river huron]

I am a tourist in Chicago and I was arrested for shoplifting and I agreed with the security agents to confess the crime and they would arrange averything within the store, but they called the police, they offered their version and I spent my night in a cell.... I wasa charged with felony and the second day the judge posted a bail of $3000 and sent me to court, which will be in two days.... I paid the $300 to get out the Count Jail and now I am waiting for the trial. I have NO criminal record in the US. What should I do...?

[aaron]

You should retain a criminal defense lawyer or ask that the court appoint a lawyer to represent you.

[river huron]

Thank you for your kind reply. Tell me please which are the procedures to appoint a defendant and what will happen if I will simply plead Guilty, considering that it is my first crime committed here in the US since 1998 when I started visiting...

[aaron]

So you aren't a U.S. national? Those are questions you should pose to a criminal defense attorney in your jurisdiction, who is familiar with immigration law. A felony conviction may result in exclusion from the country, and you need to be careful about your plea deal.

[river huron]

Dear Aaron, I realize in what dangerous situation I am... But tell me please if you could recommend me a lawyer in this area or how I could find the proper one, considering that I am a tourist, not a citizen o resident of this country and I do not know too much about this issues...

[aaron]

New York is full of lawyers. However, I am in Michigan and am not well-positioned to recommend one. You may wish to try a bar association referral service.

[river huron]

Thank you again Aaron! In fact I am in Chicago right now so if you could direct me to somebody.... You could save me..

[river huron]

Dear Aaron, I was in court today: my lawyer said that I was offered a 2 years probation so he recommended to decline the offer and so we are schedulled in court again on 15th of July... What do you think? Should I have accepted the deal? Will be there any chances to have on 15th July the felony charges changed into misdemeanor charges? And how long will the felony conviction stay in my record if nothing will be done?

[aaron]

Should I have accepted the deal?

Unfortunately, I am not in the position to second-guess your lawyer. It seems likely that your lawyer is watching out for your best interests.

Will be there any chances to have on 15th July the felony charges changed into misdemeanor charges?

That will depend upon whether plea negotiations are ongoing - something about which you can ask your lawyer.

And how long will the felony conviction stay in my record if nothing will be done?

If you are convicted and nothing else is done, a felony conviction will remain on your record indefinitely.