How to resolve a theft charge

**simchiner** · 12-13-2006, 03:24 PM

My Girlfriend was caught stealing a GPS unit (over $1000) 2 weeks ago at Fry's Electronic t(California), she was arrested and was released on the same night.
She is 21 years old and this is her first offense and she was never arrested before, she regret it very much.

She work as a behavior therapist for an autism service company and she love her job very much, this is what she want to do for the rest of her life. She been helping a lot of autism kids and all the families are really grateful. Just last week, her boss from work called and told her her fingerprint result shows she been arrested for theft and the status is pending, despite what a good employee she is (they were considering promoting her), her boss said the company has to let her go if she is convicted, it is the company policy. My girlfriend now worrying about losing the job, and also not able to find any job in the related field again since they all require a criminal history check.

I am looking for advice what to do to help her, I know she made a mistake but I really don't want to see her lifetime dream to be over. She is still in college, a psychology major, she really love what she is doing. I don't know the law much but I am thinking about going to Frys and ask them not to press charges against her. My girlfriend willing to repay Fry's with 50% of her paycheck every month for a year (around $10000). Can somebody advice me what I can do to help her, if she goto court and convicted, she will never able to find a job in her field anymore.

Thanks in advance

**seniorjudge** · 12-13-2006, 03:30 PM

You friend needs a very good lawyer.

Apparently, she is not all that concerned or she would not be stealing.

**simchiner** · 12-13-2006, 03:48 PM

She wasn't thinking much when she did the stealing, now she regret it and crying days and nights, she is afraid of losing the job and has to leave all the families she is currently taking care of.

They have her stealing on video, can a good lawyer do anything for her? Is it possible / legal for me to go talk to Fry's to have them not to press charges against her?

**Mr. Knowitall** · 12-14-2006, 05:35 AM

Quoting simchiner

They have her stealing on video, can a good lawyer do anything for her? Is it possible / legal for me to go talk to Fry's to have them not to press charges against her?

If she's caught on video, realistically she should be looking to plea bargain. A lawyer may be able to help her negotiate a better deal.

It's legal for you to talk to Fry's, it's possible for you to try (although they probably won't talk to you), and it will probably be an exercise in futility given that they have already turned the matter over to the police.